tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14702799678093717222024-03-05T04:41:22.452-05:00Pretty * PracticalFabulous Living Everyday.Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-73603132930353023062009-05-01T23:40:00.004-04:002009-05-02T00:17:40.132-04:00Cumpleanos Feliz!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-mCZE-OnOtREhg8PNhdq9k-izY-DuYoVTgClJUxvqopZyCHtLKr2DBpwMhdgrsF02_biEQczX0rVClo2PDJY8iWgaQn1n1McrOzThIZ8q2Mr3c9Ju1aWVbJsXozCf9IPrANrmEpToU4T/s1600-h/oneyearbirthdaycandle_butaho.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-mCZE-OnOtREhg8PNhdq9k-izY-DuYoVTgClJUxvqopZyCHtLKr2DBpwMhdgrsF02_biEQczX0rVClo2PDJY8iWgaQn1n1McrOzThIZ8q2Mr3c9Ju1aWVbJsXozCf9IPrANrmEpToU4T/s400/oneyearbirthdaycandle_butaho.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331066649234813714" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12153774@N02/3115400513/">Photo credit: Butaho</a><br /></div><br />One year ago I began my blogging journey hoping to explore my creative side and share my love of all things fabulous and frugal. It has in fact turned out to be so much more!<br /><br />I've connected with so many amazing friends both on-and-offline from all over the world. And your feedback has made me realize the universal need to create beauty no matter what your budget. I deeply appreciate all of your comments so keep 'em coming!<br /><br />Although current commitments don't allow me to be prolific, I am committed as ever to delivering fresh content and the loveliest finds for you. So, thanks again dear friends and here's to many more Pretty*Practical posts - cheers!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-38330764924044502942009-04-22T23:38:00.003-04:002009-04-22T23:58:32.317-04:00Reduce, reuse...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">HAPPY EARTH DAY!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">While buying green is not always in the budget these days, <span style="font-style: italic;">repurposing</span> is always a great bet! </span>That's why I love the ideas offered at <a href="http://repurposeful.wordpress.com/">Repurposeful</a>, an eco-friendly blog brimming with frugal green advice. With everything from <a href="http://repurposeful.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/4-new-uses-for-an-old-shower-curtain/">4 new uses for an old shower curtain</a> to (more importantly) <a href="http://repurposeful.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/in-celebration-of-earth-day-dont-repurpose-reduce/">reducing day-to-day waste</a>, Repurposeful's practical approach has inspired me to do a quick 5-minute toss into our forgotten 'outbox'. So I'm off!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-61246808943370073682009-03-23T17:14:00.001-04:002009-03-23T17:18:05.971-04:00Wet Room Wisdom<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbqRCLXSmE6P6quOAjboHItodC1llrBqfjsbRiVQRFSm3GOQrhblDqHBUANeWap5FEm1wkT9hLYolF07fonZpjhF9wdsK1l_hovOwBpfwPtWeYuIlSXoYb9tHQ6IpoWwtYEOTfADb-r1M/s1600-h/wetroom7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbqRCLXSmE6P6quOAjboHItodC1llrBqfjsbRiVQRFSm3GOQrhblDqHBUANeWap5FEm1wkT9hLYolF07fonZpjhF9wdsK1l_hovOwBpfwPtWeYuIlSXoYb9tHQ6IpoWwtYEOTfADb-r1M/s400/wetroom7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250534453858978" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Can we say I have some catching up to do? Won't bore you with the details, but let just say that toddlers and technology don't always mix. But big thank-yous to those of you who've checked in. So now that I have a new monitor :-) Let's chat!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeBH3bkZsT4ENVJJ-l7l9WtHYmfYd58ql1Jh_K8DEqSofV4wOw2RABQiuuVqJxdP8D-zSpN8hSYrh1tXBAmrzPCfmX6Rq6pJEg62KKVeaDADCNwB9bQc8r26qo05eXCaS0XkvNAxRA_VK/s1600-h/wetroom1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeBH3bkZsT4ENVJJ-l7l9WtHYmfYd58ql1Jh_K8DEqSofV4wOw2RABQiuuVqJxdP8D-zSpN8hSYrh1tXBAmrzPCfmX6Rq6pJEg62KKVeaDADCNwB9bQc8r26qo05eXCaS0XkvNAxRA_VK/s400/wetroom1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250355371705906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4btIthYExeFQmHWIjuQVCsSy-JTzxPNULq4mtL-KQUn3ks21ILPSw2Fgsz4ZzUPCMcUxNo8-apiOEAnF13jtBGzO76kPIxr7u_fELSbTUpiZ5O_-02EBhzHQ0is-eIEZtnfM5Mt9SZ_IM/s1600-h/wetroom2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4btIthYExeFQmHWIjuQVCsSy-JTzxPNULq4mtL-KQUn3ks21ILPSw2Fgsz4ZzUPCMcUxNo8-apiOEAnF13jtBGzO76kPIxr7u_fELSbTUpiZ5O_-02EBhzHQ0is-eIEZtnfM5Mt9SZ_IM/s400/wetroom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250365447866962" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Truth be told, the time away allowed me to indulge in another voyeuristic activity - attending Open Houses! Here in Brooklyn, this economy certainly makes a renter like myself want to have a 'looky-loo' to see what's out there. And I'm telling you it's not a pretty sight! So many homes under 900 sq. feet and with hefty price tags to match! Well, as you might imagine, teeny homes equal tiny rooms. One postage stamp-sized bathroom in particular I can't seem to get out of my head.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKoJKzmk7Bhdh7lfoDJw4fC2i4LnpTWukbUYTQur-V1FMQ4c0AhwnGj9soMOoCa3gN87LC20YlIX9kFbJrjpsRurXRX6Av295AdBIO5xY8rZKD6AFbt2lnur3CcgMXiIhOEuCllgn4GjR/s1600-h/wetroom3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKoJKzmk7Bhdh7lfoDJw4fC2i4LnpTWukbUYTQur-V1FMQ4c0AhwnGj9soMOoCa3gN87LC20YlIX9kFbJrjpsRurXRX6Av295AdBIO5xY8rZKD6AFbt2lnur3CcgMXiIhOEuCllgn4GjR/s400/wetroom3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250373436234818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSToEN3i9xe_5x5jW2pYwbwXiMPsWhTP0NTog4ojCKIyMnVaq7uvlog8f28P97KyDlgzT-yfDb_WZvhxbLKbsfaJ1sXEpZcmlM8hvQll8ndmBC-hwT7aCoCGkbW7lvRCjXFBM8fUNL-N0/s1600-h/wetroom4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSToEN3i9xe_5x5jW2pYwbwXiMPsWhTP0NTog4ojCKIyMnVaq7uvlog8f28P97KyDlgzT-yfDb_WZvhxbLKbsfaJ1sXEpZcmlM8hvQll8ndmBC-hwT7aCoCGkbW7lvRCjXFBM8fUNL-N0/s400/wetroom4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250379758515250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>For a diminutive space such as that, I think a wet room is order. Popular in Europe, but yet to catch on stateside, wet rooms or shower rooms feature a sink, toilet and open shower area where the water converges to a drain in the floor.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ys7VOsnY5Uzcc7cW4D7i75vfvU7mv_DJzwZSYf7WMR572EmK_USAcDMVgbhTdrVSlFdY4JBjNMTWEnMKXdemfeIRqedCIc6VVIzzg8MsxMCfMwYnGCCTc_XT4oxb5kZWxpAeM9GdWYk/s1600-h/wetroom5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ys7VOsnY5Uzcc7cW4D7i75vfvU7mv_DJzwZSYf7WMR572EmK_USAcDMVgbhTdrVSlFdY4JBjNMTWEnMKXdemfeIRqedCIc6VVIzzg8MsxMCfMwYnGCCTc_XT4oxb5kZWxpAeM9GdWYk/s400/wetroom5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250388853433106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOnXqehNnL1HTeIfXf08cuURCsotf-XvCTC5mAdy1eiWycdoc25PjDdL3vRaScuie89w9B3b0S6vOnAm0HYDo_USYZnM_vT-zRVQGy6ZLmaUSgx-C9zQQsAYlUg-rg2fsXpdX3Y5u3BUL/s1600-h/wetroom6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOnXqehNnL1HTeIfXf08cuURCsotf-XvCTC5mAdy1eiWycdoc25PjDdL3vRaScuie89w9B3b0S6vOnAm0HYDo_USYZnM_vT-zRVQGy6ZLmaUSgx-C9zQQsAYlUg-rg2fsXpdX3Y5u3BUL/s400/wetroom6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316250520276278546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.livingetc.com/">Livingetc</a> has lovely photo selection of these small yet airy spaces. For a twist, the final two pics demonstrate how a glass or wall partition can be added for practicality or modesty. Would you try something like this in your home?<br /><br />Photo credit: LivingetcPretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-47201946244296954932009-02-26T05:00:00.000-05:002009-02-26T05:00:00.635-05:00'Shopping' My Etsy<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtBlCDkuXo1LfGhVSb-wjpEEdhJvq-vRtV89sVON-79FbSONA79lsyxdsA7pab0KM8fnFXRHa2KM8MvvJ_emdqDRJ9_UOGehZGlfgwanAD-od0jRc9IPSjgxtL4FzrLrm4RXrqKTh61Sm/s1600-h/etsypalomasnest2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtBlCDkuXo1LfGhVSb-wjpEEdhJvq-vRtV89sVON-79FbSONA79lsyxdsA7pab0KM8fnFXRHa2KM8MvvJ_emdqDRJ9_UOGehZGlfgwanAD-od0jRc9IPSjgxtL4FzrLrm4RXrqKTh61Sm/s400/etsypalomasnest2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306875938907057234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dqSn9URvFdzGE0ovK52qXHF_wInAg0MQryy3WCIBD19j_sDS2c0jlEVyj5vVLHQg4lWmT3zYEpPttypyXnxBcQnm-P_N5HmVyG-I_53Ek_UkWDidyJRF2to4q6K20hlYpiW4neoCtT7O/s1600-h/etsypalomasnest.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dqSn9URvFdzGE0ovK52qXHF_wInAg0MQryy3WCIBD19j_sDS2c0jlEVyj5vVLHQg4lWmT3zYEpPttypyXnxBcQnm-P_N5HmVyG-I_53Ek_UkWDidyJRF2to4q6K20hlYpiW4neoCtT7O/s400/etsypalomasnest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306875928716023682" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This week, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a kind comment regarding <a href="http://prettypractical.blogspot.com/2009/02/diy-fridays-homemade-art.html">my last post on homemade art</a>. A reader named Nadine mentioned she had recently discovered the crafty goodness that is Etsy and it made her think of Pretty*Practical! Awww, thanks Nadine!<br /><br />And yes it's true. I do have a special place in my heart for Etsy. I've always found it to be a great go-to resource for special little items that won't be seen everywhere and Etsy is invaluable when you need gift-buying ideas for that 'hard-to-shop-for' friend/relative. You know who you are! :-)<br /><br />Of course, there are tons of talented crafters to choose from and we all have our faves - so here are some of mine:<br /><br />1. Simple printed ceramics and wooden blocks from <a href="http://http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5358026">Paloma's Nest</a> above are both earthy and elegant.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwORk-pCxWUuvdWNaNd4G_H33I66sr5W5oC7lEhe_HOg2bFT6-2Ab92ow1bNRpzxSzRKhUBRJ5tEUByt0x5e2AHyyCwQnytVud59dod4W7hFA95kQbVaOLt-9OQyvmkjOyc_cZ4GXJFH6J/s1600-h/etsyikaiku2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwORk-pCxWUuvdWNaNd4G_H33I66sr5W5oC7lEhe_HOg2bFT6-2Ab92ow1bNRpzxSzRKhUBRJ5tEUByt0x5e2AHyyCwQnytVud59dod4W7hFA95kQbVaOLt-9OQyvmkjOyc_cZ4GXJFH6J/s400/etsyikaiku2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306875905616970866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJcQEfDYGn0cn1faVCUQR9Ce7EFsjyMHGyPdSpUY8RJR4MAX3wYOmhfztPD4tpkKfqix2dORF6PN9AQ33AGMfUxbe-xXtmQAavZ9F832Kk5Vqm-Uuvp9Y0nEhCjXAhncN0RtqNFXAFfk9/s1600-h/etsykaiku.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJcQEfDYGn0cn1faVCUQR9Ce7EFsjyMHGyPdSpUY8RJR4MAX3wYOmhfztPD4tpkKfqix2dORF6PN9AQ33AGMfUxbe-xXtmQAavZ9F832Kk5Vqm-Uuvp9Y0nEhCjXAhncN0RtqNFXAFfk9/s400/etsykaiku.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306875906465501250" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />2. Be still my heart with these large scale floral prints from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5008667">Kaiku</a>. So beautiful!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0CmHaNWoNXTMfC20kx4grb0uaBNTdr5xwiZb3SkM6Hih9wYGIrMbEvRBNVUqFM-QfVDLpf2F8dYa1ONO9NFmCUkDVENLut0qWTxk9BI20BPWowsA3B_Zv-wuVZ36bz0sXjqNpro40t6X/s1600-h/etsyruthscrafts1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0CmHaNWoNXTMfC20kx4grb0uaBNTdr5xwiZb3SkM6Hih9wYGIrMbEvRBNVUqFM-QfVDLpf2F8dYa1ONO9NFmCUkDVENLut0qWTxk9BI20BPWowsA3B_Zv-wuVZ36bz0sXjqNpro40t6X/s400/etsyruthscrafts1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306876160006952450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uz-a97Xq5csBKROvJQgiM9LbEZ8gHDXf8HPwHvPiiNadh2D4SYNVi9DQ5kVa-_HHEvjT7uuyTMrb9cczw5kCm4bm76gp20jJlRUwAQPT-a0E6GLglJf838osTs6rTx6uLLLaZrHrVSZa/s1600-h/etsyruthscrafts.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uz-a97Xq5csBKROvJQgiM9LbEZ8gHDXf8HPwHvPiiNadh2D4SYNVi9DQ5kVa-_HHEvjT7uuyTMrb9cczw5kCm4bm76gp20jJlRUwAQPT-a0E6GLglJf838osTs6rTx6uLLLaZrHrVSZa/s400/etsyruthscrafts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306875961093954738" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />3. I'm loathe to share this one :-) Gorgeous <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> very affordable cushion covers from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=32362">Ruth's Crafts</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgRtJtq62zADch6OSG4cxGrZRwhYRlYFHZ0XqMb0qciceeg_DjXsNZ1H3IEKQjh1c_4DI0pZOmK_RHE_pV7H_lblzj9jI33Og-X85j-2s0NvInt9C-4ShHz3RyrPtuik8OH-XjKVdJOox/s1600-h/etsysaffroncreations.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgRtJtq62zADch6OSG4cxGrZRwhYRlYFHZ0XqMb0qciceeg_DjXsNZ1H3IEKQjh1c_4DI0pZOmK_RHE_pV7H_lblzj9jI33Og-X85j-2s0NvInt9C-4ShHz3RyrPtuik8OH-XjKVdJOox/s400/etsysaffroncreations.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306876164323859698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NetsHW02uLlyPWnPHRm4O44CqOphQmmacpOpJGEqAlgIngpfnnqSG13vOW8h9gUASj1o6Few6EcK0E8o9Cv2w9-9LWyRy4zCbzOo2V4oejrO3bbMw5_Ojt8X2s8_azTkrj_3OeyVy81O/s1600-h/etsysaffroncreations2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NetsHW02uLlyPWnPHRm4O44CqOphQmmacpOpJGEqAlgIngpfnnqSG13vOW8h9gUASj1o6Few6EcK0E8o9Cv2w9-9LWyRy4zCbzOo2V4oejrO3bbMw5_Ojt8X2s8_azTkrj_3OeyVy81O/s400/etsysaffroncreations2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306876167232428002" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />4. Hammered copper earrings and glass cocktail rings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5090662">Saffron Creations</a>. These are fierce!<br /><br />See anything you like?Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-21659195426481457992009-02-20T14:29:00.004-05:002009-02-20T17:13:15.002-05:00DIY Fridays: Homemade Art<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzUF0ztmpAmg2M2mKQW-ozH2t0avb_Lj28oFBjpcBvlVMjTbIxZPJAsNaUm9GbF4FSKpzUZnfEGMzEvfz_S8N3Qwboladb6lwFnUzezWyfKCfbAoQS05MEppWGiNaUSxiRQooue19EuYp/s1600-h/kidsart3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzUF0ztmpAmg2M2mKQW-ozH2t0avb_Lj28oFBjpcBvlVMjTbIxZPJAsNaUm9GbF4FSKpzUZnfEGMzEvfz_S8N3Qwboladb6lwFnUzezWyfKCfbAoQS05MEppWGiNaUSxiRQooue19EuYp/s400/kidsart3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304964805762956370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsItLfZRqS3E6joy72Mgm-rO0y2xq99O5g1GKWN-V8gHnx5Yd6l9aouB1nNFfvfCHEbPHw6913kYna-4sQPa-JFD-Fjtx26zjW16lAq9Ng6lTaxfNw3udHajqalsrC_CgxK-YsQGjZpE13/s1600-h/kidsart1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsItLfZRqS3E6joy72Mgm-rO0y2xq99O5g1GKWN-V8gHnx5Yd6l9aouB1nNFfvfCHEbPHw6913kYna-4sQPa-JFD-Fjtx26zjW16lAq9Ng6lTaxfNw3udHajqalsrC_CgxK-YsQGjZpE13/s400/kidsart1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304964783002936418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Gosh, I haven't done a DIY Friday in a while! So it's about time, right? Okay guys, this time we're getting artsy and all you need are non-toxic paints (preferably); a couple of brushes; paper/canvas; and an open mind!<br /><br /></div>Example 1: The art in the window above is simply a pair of paintings made by my children. For us, these windows are a constantly evolving gallery. You too can scoop this abstract style by cutting a generous length of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20152281">drawing paper</a> (sold by the roll) and applying lots of freestyle brushstrokes in primary colors until you achieve the desired effect. We hung ours from the window with binder clips but any other type of clip or adhesive will do. Note: Our neutral living room and our informal attitude make these paintings look completely at-home. Also great for enlivening the view.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY3-ebpqNueYOAZ744LAYBm0Y0-hI-u8ikwM_taHvm-bJ5EFONBIQLVJXO6FtaHfjMurc3GTpZqCV64kY5XW5n1PlaXE5V58SuYa2nnBlOkGKlG3d2ByyDFcqMszX3DHPPKo1klJPEUJV/s1600-h/kitchenart1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY3-ebpqNueYOAZ744LAYBm0Y0-hI-u8ikwM_taHvm-bJ5EFONBIQLVJXO6FtaHfjMurc3GTpZqCV64kY5XW5n1PlaXE5V58SuYa2nnBlOkGKlG3d2ByyDFcqMszX3DHPPKo1klJPEUJV/s400/kitchenart1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304964723039539058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR0odCWqmONW_r2gdtnJVGMi3cCOo8EkIHGuyDffU00euBLcgxflyxKw5b-pVCIPXGYU3HzbZ9wsW4yNRXOG8LGsoEm3EVKC_hmMyfjm2mEqVA5kQRvSuS6cjovt15VnQCovTJzLjhz6F/s1600-h/kitchenart2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR0odCWqmONW_r2gdtnJVGMi3cCOo8EkIHGuyDffU00euBLcgxflyxKw5b-pVCIPXGYU3HzbZ9wsW4yNRXOG8LGsoEm3EVKC_hmMyfjm2mEqVA5kQRvSuS6cjovt15VnQCovTJzLjhz6F/s400/kitchenart2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304964728048283570" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Example 2: If your style is more formal, a stylized art piece may be more apropos. In our kitchen above, the 'sunset' canvas was also created with the help of little hands. I was inspired by a similar-looking Marimekko fabric but didn't have 'Marimekko money'! ;-) My little daughter (4 at the time) helped apply wide swathes of yellow, orange and red paint. Then, I carefully blended the layers to create more depth. Note: You have to know when to stop. Blending can be addictive!<br /><br />We always get great compliments on our home-made art. But maybe we just have kind friends! However, I think a few homespun pieces give a home a cozy, lived-in feel. If you have children this a great way to spend a lazy Saturday morning. No kids? Then it's time to channel your inner child. :-) So grab some art supplies and get busy! Have a great weekend!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-64757849150942141372009-02-11T22:00:00.003-05:002009-02-11T23:24:13.915-05:00Current Crush<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5scZX7XxmoQI3EhM5S7a_JcYhQ0E9RJPbipsRWS9IDCLE2xja3EY_03W6Pg7XPOf5yIhYWuzF7MrTtdHKC1D1f1qFPWUFKz1tKHIR8PHRp_uGLqBGRjiuc1EbnFkrQEppWebYYYuMfCdL/s1600-h/TandieVasescrateandbarrel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5scZX7XxmoQI3EhM5S7a_JcYhQ0E9RJPbipsRWS9IDCLE2xja3EY_03W6Pg7XPOf5yIhYWuzF7MrTtdHKC1D1f1qFPWUFKz1tKHIR8PHRp_uGLqBGRjiuc1EbnFkrQEppWebYYYuMfCdL/s400/TandieVasescrateandbarrel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301740379899648930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just some random prettiness I <span style="font-style: italic;">had</span> to share. How cute are these hand-blown teardrop vases from <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1390&f=31841&q=vase+orange&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1">Crate and Barrel</a>? Delish I tell you and I *heart* them both! The weather recently has been a tease and I can't wait for spring. So, until then, a little color therapy goes a long way.<br /></div></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-29303338290993039712009-01-29T06:00:00.004-05:002009-01-29T09:48:01.927-05:00Requiem for Domino<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBs8pxAWm4P-kDMWA803OT2Pb7AiN3y6qnchyy_RrZJAbEyRxK_PGdc40hpbo5Ad-n70pzyQEhzczxTfF08LBDtU7P4PPkfU2k07Bjs-lyvuJsYJo8HWRIc0K5EHEqMvcf0ewEiCtYsm1/s1600-h/dominocov_09feb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBs8pxAWm4P-kDMWA803OT2Pb7AiN3y6qnchyy_RrZJAbEyRxK_PGdc40hpbo5Ad-n70pzyQEhzczxTfF08LBDtU7P4PPkfU2k07Bjs-lyvuJsYJo8HWRIc0K5EHEqMvcf0ewEiCtYsm1/s400/dominocov_09feb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296575917662121714" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />As most of you know by now, the much-beloved <a href="http://www.wwd.com/media-news/domino-to-close-1953603?module=most_emailed">Domino announced yesterday</a> that it will be folding with March 2009 being its last issue. I don't know about you, but when I heard the news I was quite bereft and reflexively went to the Domino website (which will also be shuttered) hoping for something - a sign - a glimmer of hope - I don't know. I came away empty handed. Domino was the only magazine I looked forward to every month - like a little gift in the mail and it will be dearly missed.<br /><br />In the meantime, permit me to send a virtual 'shout-out' to Nick Olsen, Domino's online Deal Hunter. An uber-talented decorator, Nick's column is a hilarious must-read that's totally on-point when it comes to decorating ideas and advice. Currently, Nick is on a White House decorating kick with my fave posts being his 'speed decorating' inspiration for <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/daily/blogs/dailydose/2009/01/speed-decoratin.html">Malia</a> and <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/daily/blogs/dailydose/2009/01/presidential-ki.html">Sasha</a> 'Fierce' (as he dubbed her) Obama's rooms.<br /><br />By the way, if there any early Domino subscribers out there - I'd love to receive scans of your fave 2005- 2006 issues to share with late 2006 subscribers like myself. I'm thinking a vigil might be in order. *sniff*Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-39795438582975959142009-01-26T23:03:00.004-05:002009-01-26T23:40:27.239-05:00Happy Chinese New Year!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhw5JdkR85z2HZBTBeuXIBGi0nzoPGmX9pW5fXRV97tAmuw7PTatkfUQMiPzjCL1G9noqBvSRmqucRiNdS-hnAQWZjak7OGFhJWkN_D1aWgrjNI2d3_QOWytBM2gHjhzTp6WRTD47Uwu7/s1600-h/yearofox4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhw5JdkR85z2HZBTBeuXIBGi0nzoPGmX9pW5fXRV97tAmuw7PTatkfUQMiPzjCL1G9noqBvSRmqucRiNdS-hnAQWZjak7OGFhJWkN_D1aWgrjNI2d3_QOWytBM2gHjhzTp6WRTD47Uwu7/s400/yearofox4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295821794709883314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4YCfMk_diJvTH922PWe8huXLp8xIxUzKlxxcX4r023o9d6rlv9W9nSpZlcz7xojByesAXLAT-gy8957dple5kXMd9vXWbBTS-YACdZxeMEAyUW0m0zjp8W038LlNjHCF0NGIltb8NTP0/s1600-h/yearofox1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4YCfMk_diJvTH922PWe8huXLp8xIxUzKlxxcX4r023o9d6rlv9W9nSpZlcz7xojByesAXLAT-gy8957dple5kXMd9vXWbBTS-YACdZxeMEAyUW0m0zjp8W038LlNjHCF0NGIltb8NTP0/s400/yearofox1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295821791030713538" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMS94nROcBLGX4dgceD2gEVy7jVv8wr7Teo2b68c1BqeOf-4ivE5c1eJ_3FO1yd2gYpFR5q-ZvJ6t0JevGUFiPw1eZV0pKLE4IFk98spb-IH7pvLUp0mM1ZaUtEX7cL3RclRG7PSYWX_n/s1600-h/yearofox2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMS94nROcBLGX4dgceD2gEVy7jVv8wr7Teo2b68c1BqeOf-4ivE5c1eJ_3FO1yd2gYpFR5q-ZvJ6t0JevGUFiPw1eZV0pKLE4IFk98spb-IH7pvLUp0mM1ZaUtEX7cL3RclRG7PSYWX_n/s400/yearofox2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295821798161255586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxrBtUPAAWpDNV6gQdhUYNKZ15RyxdAZC6AXKOPvau2r8MIU5f4D-ws4arRbN6GrGDJv1skp98U4npsFJWj2BWlbSC1535uOXq8yirTvok-Sx0B0UVRjPecGYRPIVQ2ZSkPeoTS4ExDXL/s1600-h/yearofox3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxrBtUPAAWpDNV6gQdhUYNKZ15RyxdAZC6AXKOPvau2r8MIU5f4D-ws4arRbN6GrGDJv1skp98U4npsFJWj2BWlbSC1535uOXq8yirTvok-Sx0B0UVRjPecGYRPIVQ2ZSkPeoTS4ExDXL/s400/yearofox3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295821797476664834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Clockwise from top left - Reuters/Vincent Du; Reuters/Aly Song; AFP/Getty Images/Paul Ellis; Reuters/Enny Nuraheni.</span>]<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Wishing everyone a year of great happiness and prosperity! To enjoy more of these beautiful and inspiring photos, click <a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/chinese_new_year_welcoming_the_1.html">here</a>. </span><br /></div><br /></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-6898608139928286442009-01-16T22:08:00.001-05:002009-01-16T22:34:30.036-05:00Finding My Style<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF1YqZLqW6dVb0dEkmPhpfn6BxvcFlVjWmLRCygcnhlPQlDJMdqwy156H53nxjmYHy-eQ7YR43HuvnBxS5mO4Q3pMlHJJgb-ILvi0hWcSSyQscSYiU3AgKhVkNZl_lvC93Gthq0WQyJlv/s1600-h/findyourstyle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF1YqZLqW6dVb0dEkmPhpfn6BxvcFlVjWmLRCygcnhlPQlDJMdqwy156H53nxjmYHy-eQ7YR43HuvnBxS5mO4Q3pMlHJJgb-ILvi0hWcSSyQscSYiU3AgKhVkNZl_lvC93Gthq0WQyJlv/s400/findyourstyle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292079038169877570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxjADMDD59TRcm1xhXzSIk8W90oLr1KKmzhWRTWAzWaDw6pYliA5a7cwXB7Whi4h9IvT35HjAbYJv0X9o_geKQgxjTKi0lPbsjrU2uZyN-xDcpIc7pOxp-hVyt0Z_6KF374d-Krv5glsB/s1600-h/hfys-Karen-_McAloon_al.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxjADMDD59TRcm1xhXzSIk8W90oLr1KKmzhWRTWAzWaDw6pYliA5a7cwXB7Whi4h9IvT35HjAbYJv0X9o_geKQgxjTKi0lPbsjrU2uZyN-xDcpIc7pOxp-hVyt0Z_6KF374d-Krv5glsB/s400/hfys-Karen-_McAloon_al.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292100005448479298" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: HGTV/Find Your Style]</span><br /><br /></div>Those close to me know I rarely watch television. However, every Saturday at 3:00 pm I do make an exception for HGTV's <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/find-your-style/show/index.html">Find Your Style</a>! Hosted by Karen MacAloon also of Design Remix, this is my weekly TV fix.<br /><br />Using style 'tells', Karen deciphers the homeowner's style and guides them in designing their room of choice. Karen then adds the finishing touches which are always fabulous! Note to all design snobs - Karen's open-minded attitude is infectious and has made me appreciate styles I wouldn't normally care for. She also shares lots of design tips and tricks that anyone can use.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Last night, my curiosity got the better of me and I gave show's online style quiz a try. I must say, I was quite surprised at its accuracy. Billed as Rustic Comfort, my style is detailed below:<br /></div><br />"Part updated country, part ethnic flair, both with a contemporary look and feel. You need a home with casual and practical style – an environment that'll work for kids, pets, company and more. The emphasis is on simple yet attractive, durable furniture will hold up over time while your colorful accessories energize and entertain for years...Function is a key consideration as well. A multi-purpose ottoman that doubles as a coffee table or storage unit would work for you."<br /><br />Although I' not sure about the label, most of the style assessment is spot-on - right down to the ottoman. F.Y.I the photos on the HGTV site don't do Karen's work justice. Ya gotta see the show! However, the quiz is a worthwhile endeavor. To check it out, click <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/webhgtv/images/pac/64071/quiz/q1.html">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /><br /></span>Have a great weekend!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-297991121842509442009-01-14T09:30:00.000-05:002009-01-14T09:34:37.621-05:00Unexpected Inspiration: Museums<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnObVtKkE4yYRck2VaO2fve_ztnFY_dEWTbvkEsyLdTVnGv5IyV0Zz19P8DyJ_70cC9_9_4WjO55K8RUByELmc5unmXjoeeaRaXhOqPC4b3J_93bZhkE3kXQ9FoD2C1sFJnL1dhjIIhSEJ/s1600-h/nathismuseum2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnObVtKkE4yYRck2VaO2fve_ztnFY_dEWTbvkEsyLdTVnGv5IyV0Zz19P8DyJ_70cC9_9_4WjO55K8RUByELmc5unmXjoeeaRaXhOqPC4b3J_93bZhkE3kXQ9FoD2C1sFJnL1dhjIIhSEJ/s400/nathismuseum2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135372830838578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflhZ10DpClgd1PvNLUbiUJhEY7HnLtlxiucAGFV8MaGTW2aCXR3giuAPCuaA2_7jXdENZ7kisw1RGdx6Pjn3sK8dKrmaiin8m1ZlhZdMcR1ECVkjlmuCLo_t6PAsLnMbDA2rT_e1sHN70/s1600-h/nathismuseum1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflhZ10DpClgd1PvNLUbiUJhEY7HnLtlxiucAGFV8MaGTW2aCXR3giuAPCuaA2_7jXdENZ7kisw1RGdx6Pjn3sK8dKrmaiin8m1ZlhZdMcR1ECVkjlmuCLo_t6PAsLnMbDA2rT_e1sHN70/s400/nathismuseum1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135363559202274" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMn-VnEQZh1NmFlDeHrqgQCjdAPQ-H-YeLZQXcJOWSU8g143DnGE_TNm-Az4-OEhmnqsIC8AR-FRpMG8645L60P1Q5vAy3WrLatrTcnmJOtgFiZDj5MsS10UB7xiXCYHpxJQ7RYbv-HJN/s1600-h/7-2-outdoor-terrace-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMn-VnEQZh1NmFlDeHrqgQCjdAPQ-H-YeLZQXcJOWSU8g143DnGE_TNm-Az4-OEhmnqsIC8AR-FRpMG8645L60P1Q5vAy3WrLatrTcnmJOtgFiZDj5MsS10UB7xiXCYHpxJQ7RYbv-HJN/s400/7-2-outdoor-terrace-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289132705758863250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkCMfHz6SG0Y4uv1JN_bbXVqx5IWBfdXpH4DMUDAlYS7voSXydOBVkRSaCgwMBUO1t7kmZRsco1lIaPGuhJPF2M1qpXshJrTqKbo2raBdcxIo2Zy_28vrjs_fTrwsjzwzufRcmqtgFd5H/s1600-h/backyard+inspiration.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkCMfHz6SG0Y4uv1JN_bbXVqx5IWBfdXpH4DMUDAlYS7voSXydOBVkRSaCgwMBUO1t7kmZRsco1lIaPGuhJPF2M1qpXshJrTqKbo2raBdcxIo2Zy_28vrjs_fTrwsjzwzufRcmqtgFd5H/s400/backyard+inspiration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289132948130406498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Room photos, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a>]</span><br /><br /></div>It's only Wednesday and I'm dreaming about the weekend. Is that bad? Well, let's think of it as planning ahead :-) Apparently, this one promises to be frigid but if you're feeling intrepid Pretty*Practical recommends exploring the great indoors!<br /><br />Specifically, your local museum. Museums are one of my favorite places to soak up ideas on displaying art, discovering new color combinations and curating your own collections. At the <a href="http://www.amnh.org/home">American Museum of Natural History</a> I fell in love with the driftwood horse if the first photo above. Can't you imagine this looking awesome in a spare modern home? I also loved the trellised windows (right) featured in an exhibit room. So intricate and pretty!</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8zYGE7upKw5sr2fZX1dtVdA5hM7y8qL2yD8xZpKZD0Oj-Pe61jprOhZisJoES4_Voa-SVZjoJnfLDWQCRJ0Pkhh6YVjh9IJ3ncr4XE3-XE4sXAtg9HM6j5YcnPYg7N9o7jQG_GrTJy0G/s1600-h/nathismuseum3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8zYGE7upKw5sr2fZX1dtVdA5hM7y8qL2yD8xZpKZD0Oj-Pe61jprOhZisJoES4_Voa-SVZjoJnfLDWQCRJ0Pkhh6YVjh9IJ3ncr4XE3-XE4sXAtg9HM6j5YcnPYg7N9o7jQG_GrTJy0G/s400/nathismuseum3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289176696133945042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb11w77tLERcQsnxKpogGrOQafTCl1YdXhSTTS9LLBWMvXO4iY1mDUwmrh-s7MIxFN1-yYW_9GI3av8toncsNJ6F94mEoz42noHnt0irKEOsqBuL4ZxAxUWzA8HLimTaAk7s8T2dWydk0/s1600-h/david+netto3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb11w77tLERcQsnxKpogGrOQafTCl1YdXhSTTS9LLBWMvXO4iY1mDUwmrh-s7MIxFN1-yYW_9GI3av8toncsNJ6F94mEoz42noHnt0irKEOsqBuL4ZxAxUWzA8HLimTaAk7s8T2dWydk0/s400/david+netto3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289177514461977154" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Room photo, <a href="http://www.davidnettodesign.com/">David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Netto</span> Design</a>]</span><br /></div><br />Last but not least, how striking are these graphic groupings of charcoal drawings? Bringing it into real life, the attached home design photos illustrate how simplicity along with an infusion of natural elements is key to a restive atmosphere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy7Z11X_FJL5WQjEWkD2RLMFTkzoETdgF5GW81bxCu7e97Ms1bNOvD51lBwQ_N7ZVh4usyP8QobqY3EEGgY3lpMPqYU_CONDZrb3tEVCmIEXcUX-4rqogJA763SBplcvJGDyq43Fy1NJ6/s1600-h/IMG_1926.JPG"><img style="width: 255px; height: 178px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy7Z11X_FJL5WQjEWkD2RLMFTkzoETdgF5GW81bxCu7e97Ms1bNOvD51lBwQ_N7ZVh4usyP8QobqY3EEGgY3lpMPqYU_CONDZrb3tEVCmIEXcUX-4rqogJA763SBplcvJGDyq43Fy1NJ6/s400/IMG_1926.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC70CMtwv-CsYo3khZWtfDywScN69OYEWEkXf8z39zelbVnWTJ_uDRtK89zSZjj6dqHkn7qwogSqN6mGtd6JAK17-_HbjvFTuaHUKfwHWZBVdzXU1uB7qLQGt0C9OgkNym8TmHhfCNFOX/s1600-h/IMG_1928.JPG"><img style="width: 269px; height: 179px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC70CMtwv-CsYo3khZWtfDywScN69OYEWEkXf8z39zelbVnWTJ_uDRtK89zSZjj6dqHkn7qwogSqN6mGtd6JAK17-_HbjvFTuaHUKfwHWZBVdzXU1uB7qLQGt0C9OgkNym8TmHhfCNFOX/s400/IMG_1928.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJWzTncsXKuz2kS29VMgE8laqOqHBMEQ6fac2A_Z9sOHpjvk34fCYY2uUYP0vFGhJi5pHNNbPp7msfhCT_IoUYpGQpwHDgwT_5gJCUOHxD-NqgI1SEXq7P5WZZBu0tG9Pyb9_VdTIP79p/s1600-h/personal+color+inspiration+droom-lroom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJWzTncsXKuz2kS29VMgE8laqOqHBMEQ6fac2A_Z9sOHpjvk34fCYY2uUYP0vFGhJi5pHNNbPp7msfhCT_IoUYpGQpwHDgwT_5gJCUOHxD-NqgI1SEXq7P5WZZBu0tG9Pyb9_VdTIP79p/s400/personal+color+inspiration+droom-lroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289130419446084962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaNgMTLJm23ojAAjv95oVoyH8xE-w5hTItjpfnQZQVSIB8iKF9EdLaol0VXdsfgme8cinkh9ezfj4NlVhcw8vZXMNV80SeakmiqhSzX_BGuKbQKEWTPWjEgYL13lNLherX-bDeLTQ5PnA/s1600-h/10-17-rachel1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaNgMTLJm23ojAAjv95oVoyH8xE-w5hTItjpfnQZQVSIB8iKF9EdLaol0VXdsfgme8cinkh9ezfj4NlVhcw8vZXMNV80SeakmiqhSzX_BGuKbQKEWTPWjEgYL13lNLherX-bDeLTQ5PnA/s400/10-17-rachel1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289131219469146210" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Room photos, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a>]<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And what about this colorful trip down memory-lane? The candy advertisements above are featured in actual vintage trains at the <a href="http://www.mta.info/mta/museum/index.html">New York Transit Museum</a> - a Brooklyn-based gem that kids and grown-ups will certainly enjoy. And as you can see, this palette of muted red, yellow and blue can make for spaces that are both lively and livable</span>.<br /><br />Have you found recently found inspiration in a place that surprised you? Let me know!<br /><br /></div></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-3105937578438012932009-01-12T05:00:00.000-05:002009-01-12T05:00:00.409-05:00New Italian Design School<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3RqbR1D0hIPJatr_WSYqBs6KKRqpw96ymj73xS7Iu1Gv8yrkY64jixhBuAfEkBs7du6qjrHH2UCfgdKUyPZ1WA8AIL5u7UggxkL9GruuG73Jxu6oWS-Kc-jdylm92VM3AXVlRSiTDSIn/s1600-h/FlorenceDesign3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3RqbR1D0hIPJatr_WSYqBs6KKRqpw96ymj73xS7Iu1Gv8yrkY64jixhBuAfEkBs7du6qjrHH2UCfgdKUyPZ1WA8AIL5u7UggxkL9GruuG73Jxu6oWS-Kc-jdylm92VM3AXVlRSiTDSIn/s400/FlorenceDesign3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290292208744787650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28Z_m25tEvU6DmCOB0-YA6D6_xlPTVVB_X2e2kGq9ODnVMnH2kBHG9bDksglinHxzQQwNtxGI9c1s0ug2FfKqQcF_xsloFZp0K06iAfL10S3bYQBBtWRt5d7NazZH2ww1nlmFlOpKmeCy/s1600-h/FlorenceDesign1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28Z_m25tEvU6DmCOB0-YA6D6_xlPTVVB_X2e2kGq9ODnVMnH2kBHG9bDksglinHxzQQwNtxGI9c1s0ug2FfKqQcF_xsloFZp0K06iAfL10S3bYQBBtWRt5d7NazZH2ww1nlmFlOpKmeCy/s400/FlorenceDesign1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290292204344263202" border="0" /></a></div><br />Nota bene aspiring designers! This January, Italy's newest design school, <a href="http://www.florence-institute.com">The Florence Institute of Design International</a> has opened its doors to students from around the world.<br /><br />Founded by veteran architect, Marc DiDomenico, the school builds upon Florence's rich history of art, culture and design by combining modern technologies with Italy's imaginative culture. Courses include interior design, graphic design and architecture with masters and summer abroad options available.<br /><br />This is great opportunity for anyone looking to hone their design skills in an idyllic environment. To learn more, click <a href="http://www.florence-institute.com">here</a>.<br /><br />Ciao!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-33970535888173380262009-01-09T07:07:00.002-05:002009-01-09T07:07:00.200-05:00Around the Blogosphere: Purple Area<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4utTT9JwYyFCcDD24-3hij_5mkXm4t-yP1VfFxnVOKzx2JUk44k138UNWqdh_AkDajunjGM8l7G2Geit1T8BxIlifipVrRROAFrMWuXd-21B2XidHyh5uKvQyJyO9kVF4xQwPNCOa9L1/s1600-h/purplearea3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4utTT9JwYyFCcDD24-3hij_5mkXm4t-yP1VfFxnVOKzx2JUk44k138UNWqdh_AkDajunjGM8l7G2Geit1T8BxIlifipVrRROAFrMWuXd-21B2XidHyh5uKvQyJyO9kVF4xQwPNCOa9L1/s400/purplearea3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289194011514687874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGCibpIllMUofH2Gtn9cVC2dOkYFdg0Eb5QZYilBVl2NyK-HmV4QqVVDgePcB-9QHWfpA5YKz1D8XIw5irsza4iZp9LaLrmzQxeh4udDAkDSM5_zq9Aus6AoK1SUhbXHEDwrARKGcg6np/s1600-h/purplearea6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGCibpIllMUofH2Gtn9cVC2dOkYFdg0Eb5QZYilBVl2NyK-HmV4QqVVDgePcB-9QHWfpA5YKz1D8XIw5irsza4iZp9LaLrmzQxeh4udDAkDSM5_zq9Aus6AoK1SUhbXHEDwrARKGcg6np/s400/purplearea6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289194026840559026" border="0" /></a></div><br />Several years ago, I assisted on a shoot at the home of a lovely Finnish lady. Oh, everything was divine! From the food to the decor, and it was all presented in such a beautiful, simple and gracious way. Since then, I've had a deep love for all things Scandinavian.<br /><br />Case in point, the delightful Swedish blog, <a href="http://www.purplearea.blogspot.com">Purple Area</a>. Written by interior designer, Susan Larsson, Purple Area is a veritable hub for inspired decor ideas. Susan is blessed with a great eye and always seems to have the most amazing design finds - clean and modern with just the right warm touches.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtezIRyD4MVsbHPVxhasFNWgnQv5fUDRSP0cXKM898WhQ1J5KQLfiRkSKoUqYO1OHHZaICZs8QmYUQK6TpPCmKdxHZrBeETIEii8tOuGUzG4Z29Dqs670CTO2-VD8fYYVRiCMbhLY-oVPI/s1600-h/purplearea4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtezIRyD4MVsbHPVxhasFNWgnQv5fUDRSP0cXKM898WhQ1J5KQLfiRkSKoUqYO1OHHZaICZs8QmYUQK6TpPCmKdxHZrBeETIEii8tOuGUzG4Z29Dqs670CTO2-VD8fYYVRiCMbhLY-oVPI/s400/purplearea4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289194019131689426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3GcwPie2ok0LLF5r64_87r88iDLlvFbNMOC9TLOHCWR5YBdPN9CvwVWsb0VxvQsB-u5ZoFTSdKCXvm09l7MyXU4cJKKhGPAKxULWexIEA4R7nuEns0EkIMUzqA91CrlQAPV6qg0d09No/s1600-h/purplearea5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3GcwPie2ok0LLF5r64_87r88iDLlvFbNMOC9TLOHCWR5YBdPN9CvwVWsb0VxvQsB-u5ZoFTSdKCXvm09l7MyXU4cJKKhGPAKxULWexIEA4R7nuEns0EkIMUzqA91CrlQAPV6qg0d09No/s400/purplearea5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289194018996741202" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTCOD_IDB4pQFbHmyycKNBws8oi1anl9Uo6ohEB3saGpRVaW8tgnv5oSzZw6UrWO4k259w09-nN6K6PaOSG74CfBLcyyhg-f_Tcwm6IsVqV2-6oXdyE9jXbPFar7W7vOoDSTQ0hCDZBlP/s1600-h/purplearea7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTCOD_IDB4pQFbHmyycKNBws8oi1anl9Uo6ohEB3saGpRVaW8tgnv5oSzZw6UrWO4k259w09-nN6K6PaOSG74CfBLcyyhg-f_Tcwm6IsVqV2-6oXdyE9jXbPFar7W7vOoDSTQ0hCDZBlP/s400/purplearea7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289194024613584466" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />While the blog is written in Swedish, there is an English translation option. But who needs words with gorgeous photos like these! To enjoy more Purple Area style, click <a href="http://www.purplearea.blogspot.com">here</a>. Thanks Susan!<br /><br /></div>And have a great weekend everyone!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: All photos courtesy of Purple Area]</span>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-6975734697541362192009-01-06T21:00:00.000-05:002009-01-06T21:12:07.397-05:00Small Moments<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO__FJRGjBVdilgbsBSux49OttqVB4bnMiZfLlUfGp1llYPXs8DeYBPMytHgueUwdUCc4VqlzdSbwDjIfRHvdWfubw0vpXVt1l-S9lGbmPD8bJrOOjXBmsmBNN2MryX1NuzL9pOV6g_In-/s1600-h/January+06,+2009+small+moments.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO__FJRGjBVdilgbsBSux49OttqVB4bnMiZfLlUfGp1llYPXs8DeYBPMytHgueUwdUCc4VqlzdSbwDjIfRHvdWfubw0vpXVt1l-S9lGbmPD8bJrOOjXBmsmBNN2MryX1NuzL9pOV6g_In-/s400/January+06,+2009+small+moments.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288366561146111714" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Pretty*Practical]</span><br /></div><br />Growing up, January 6 officially denoted the end of Christmas. It was the day to ruefully pack away the decorations and return to 'life as usual'. Of course, this ritual could not be conducted a day late for to do so would mean a year of bad luck! Today, as I remove ornaments and holiday cards, I can't help but feel a little nostalgic.<br /><br />This holiday was quiet but very meaningful for our family. My husband took some rare time-off and we were able to enjoy the little things like the gingerbread house my daughter made at school; delivering <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">petite</span> greeting cards; traveling around on wintry nights to enjoy the holiday lights and delighting in our children's toys as if we were kids again. So for now, I'll cherish these little warm memories till next...<br /></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-32871728028898714242009-01-01T22:55:00.004-05:002009-01-01T23:22:10.867-05:00New Beginnings<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh1oXrmBKDcamx3Qu4WkGue4zKaMNdsjojH7YaBAOVDCBN25DEMRuU5aZpcMXcjtc2s21capAgg5ZFpMI1r4bs45viCTGnxpF2cLRKj481rbrcM4OHr4hxHkNN1Ga_X7WWGDy5OxXzXNe/s1600-h/wintermark.os.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh1oXrmBKDcamx3Qu4WkGue4zKaMNdsjojH7YaBAOVDCBN25DEMRuU5aZpcMXcjtc2s21capAgg5ZFpMI1r4bs45viCTGnxpF2cLRKj481rbrcM4OHr4hxHkNN1Ga_X7WWGDy5OxXzXNe/s400/wintermark.os.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286545949633851906" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Happy New Year! Wishing you joy and peace at home and beyond.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />[Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marko-kosovcevic/388990380">mark.os via Flickr</a>]</span>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-67239452863608390272008-12-04T11:30:00.001-05:002008-12-04T11:37:21.605-05:00Frugal Foodie<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN69_Bgx-RgQvWZVptU3ynDsf0cgV__g1mzdpTSlZZmNLvg85J3OZUjXgb3bkL_3iuV7PwPs3L_qgaELlEKExBby7RnRH1kq3i3NYxK_ah3brsQSsuVi4IrNetuuG8UqYg41uouLU-xSAi/s1600-h/latartinegourmande.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN69_Bgx-RgQvWZVptU3ynDsf0cgV__g1mzdpTSlZZmNLvg85J3OZUjXgb3bkL_3iuV7PwPs3L_qgaELlEKExBby7RnRH1kq3i3NYxK_ah3brsQSsuVi4IrNetuuG8UqYg41uouLU-xSAi/s400/latartinegourmande.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275970984719402914" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlfEJNVrzdjWNNtLqWOLeFGp4i7NYtG1VqdGOv0efaS-qMAfsklREku9hGCh1eO4g8Wy-Qyg7QthEshYKO39nMu3uW02qwmM8VZOqN1nuFiIqYc3GrG-u-TRhmZDzAj9xgDMfskSBqXhh/s1600-h/stuff-1.jpg"><img style="width: 308px; height: 352px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlfEJNVrzdjWNNtLqWOLeFGp4i7NYtG1VqdGOv0efaS-qMAfsklREku9hGCh1eO4g8Wy-Qyg7QthEshYKO39nMu3uW02qwmM8VZOqN1nuFiIqYc3GrG-u-TRhmZDzAj9xgDMfskSBqXhh/s400/stuff-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div> <span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: La Tartine Gourmande (left) and amNewYork (right)]</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="clear: both;"><br />Yesterday, a dear friend was kind enough to pass along this post by <a href="http://www.latartinegourmande.com">La Tartine Gourmande</a>. The topic was potatoes and it was surprisingly very fascinating. In fact, I was completely enthralled by Bea's stories of growing up in France and picking potatoes with her grandmother. It was so sweet and charming and made me think of my own Granny who was formidable cook herself.<br /><br />With Thanksgiving feasts now a fading memory (hope everyone had a good one :-) whipping up Christmas goodies is my latest fixation. I already have some of the basics like cranberry sauce, corn muffin mix, and sliced pineapples which I swear makes all sort of casseroles seem fancy :-) As you're guessing by now, I'm no Martha or Granny for that matter, but I do love being in the kitchen. And since ours is tiny, everything in it must be functional and preferably do double-duty.<br /><br />Our local freebie newspaper, <a href="http://www.amny.com">amNewYork</a>, recently did a great feature on the kitchen gadgets you <span style="font-style: italic;">need </span>to get your cooking on for the holidays. Their recommendations included:<br />1) When purchasing knives, start with either an eight-inch chef's knife or a seven-inch Santoku. Then add a paring knife and a bread knife. Yep, no big block of knives - those three are all you need.<br />2) You should have a cutting board - never use a countertop.<br />3) Invest in a cast-iron Dutch oven as it's very versatile and can go straight to the table.<br />4) Beautiful bakers are great but a simple Pyrex 9 x 13 dish is a real workhorse for anything from baking brownies to a lasagna.<br />5) In terms of pans, you need a two-quart and a four-quart saucepan. Also, a good sized saute pan and a 10-inch skillet. For baking, two round cake pans, an eight- or nine-inch square plus a loaf pan for baking bread or meatloaf are all you need.<br /><br />I really love the practicality of these suggestions and I also thought they may help those of you who want to pare down a kitchen that's a bit over-stuffed with utensils and gadgets. Are you already planning menus for the holidays. I'd love to know what's cooking in your kitchen!<br /></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-13490600635202593962008-11-26T23:18:00.003-05:002008-11-26T23:53:03.157-05:00Early Blessings<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMR66JibRSepcxM8qBVPalXa97mZOGY5ylSETy0IdHetWZ8DKUpaKOGrVnTq-K77r5cqE-A6bF6UvVymVUGihypmabO8IQSOgQ7z13psYNGJxKKwoL9yma2rcF1pWo5mI3ephmyBAIuM3/s1600-h/Thanksgiving08B.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMR66JibRSepcxM8qBVPalXa97mZOGY5ylSETy0IdHetWZ8DKUpaKOGrVnTq-K77r5cqE-A6bF6UvVymVUGihypmabO8IQSOgQ7z13psYNGJxKKwoL9yma2rcF1pWo5mI3ephmyBAIuM3/s400/Thanksgiving08B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273188168073898210" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>An early Happy Thanksgiving! Here at Pretty*Practical we have so much to be thankful for and I'm sure you do too. <br /><br />Tonight, in the spirit of togetherness we ventured to Macy's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Despite the brisk weather, we put on our game face and travelled several blocks of back-to-back balloons weighted down by nets and sandbags. Random moment: spotting Mayor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bloomberg</span>! Looks just like he does on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tele</span> :-)<br /><br />Anyway, we had an awesome time. Above, the Pretty*Practical sneak-peek before these babies take flight tomorrow. And look out for Horton the Elephant - he makes his Parade debut tomorrow. Have a great day!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-86768288911707606692008-11-19T22:28:00.003-05:002008-11-19T22:50:43.511-05:00Pretty Palettes: Ethnic Modern<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheUozX3mN8NU6PeHnnO7C3x01Wiwosf2WFFVXZTwcAbap615C2eVNnK10DqYfWfvgbikMQSOj1odFm9yD0Sb5wCFtXz5iBms1vbr8Fbpj2UQXSYlMWbn37wUdBWat91OjUt0IlFiyIg30/s1600-h/Ethnic_Modern+palette2.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 70px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheUozX3mN8NU6PeHnnO7C3x01Wiwosf2WFFVXZTwcAbap615C2eVNnK10DqYfWfvgbikMQSOj1odFm9yD0Sb5wCFtXz5iBms1vbr8Fbpj2UQXSYlMWbn37wUdBWat91OjUt0IlFiyIg30/s400/Ethnic_Modern+palette2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270575856012223186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So here's the new color inspiration I'm loving. The images are from two separate Better Homes and Gardens spreads. Although the style of each homeowner is completely different, I think their aesthetic is totally tied together by a palette of deep chocolate brown; coral red; pink mustard; and lots of white.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1VmmYa2ChtI8IXxHPYBo3hU93bDJaJakGEMJJJlaU3qmPJO8ozn4iKW62GhVx-DMMCnRqBROQsgF06tvepgocWbTgSdPOYEdWd3pzKANg5WI1D6YfsoekGGhtJSo8Ji-yC0W1os-hty_/s1600-h/Ethnic_Modern4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1VmmYa2ChtI8IXxHPYBo3hU93bDJaJakGEMJJJlaU3qmPJO8ozn4iKW62GhVx-DMMCnRqBROQsgF06tvepgocWbTgSdPOYEdWd3pzKANg5WI1D6YfsoekGGhtJSo8Ji-yC0W1os-hty_/s400/Ethnic_Modern4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270190481053927250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_jnT2mMltAJ-_s7O893nM6H_pXyEJDLacTsZ3sq2Xt8PSzdi53dedT9Hm9CfFHEsEh7MV7LLcGDROTpat_4X7vsjrwPgvVxTtV-EULcd_nP4ff_sawcu7_EU4RIHIO_qJrg8NTDFM5XS/s1600-h/Ethnic_Modern3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_jnT2mMltAJ-_s7O893nM6H_pXyEJDLacTsZ3sq2Xt8PSzdi53dedT9Hm9CfFHEsEh7MV7LLcGDROTpat_4X7vsjrwPgvVxTtV-EULcd_nP4ff_sawcu7_EU4RIHIO_qJrg8NTDFM5XS/s400/Ethnic_Modern3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270190476846795586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLnYBfrOD6P029sTvmHKaK1vnPzKbJKMU1w9ymJ1yGed2TsaxJ42s52X3MTkn8upq0GK83LPnZtqP6ZxDRS90Pu0vMkbNMZQk4dLwhEoXnW1y2nll66bcFP8VW5Jm6fOY8X93qYo8DSlU/s1600-h/Ethnic_Modern5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLnYBfrOD6P029sTvmHKaK1vnPzKbJKMU1w9ymJ1yGed2TsaxJ42s52X3MTkn8upq0GK83LPnZtqP6ZxDRS90Pu0vMkbNMZQk4dLwhEoXnW1y2nll66bcFP8VW5Jm6fOY8X93qYo8DSlU/s400/Ethnic_Modern5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270190483846751410" border="0" /></a></div></div><br />Both homes also incorporate natural area rugs as a textural accent. I'm calling the look ethnic modern. It really great way give a bright white interior big personality, no?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z1uQQJpeSIfvTkcbPcn2CmPOT_1MUKYa4_ifJO5mv2xthyLQfWNULIwXNR1dZX973MzEXFqgVKQTGcvNEY4j58GTOcLBCMnUtGzZN1MSSaLePiNhvx-sMMzPC5U8Vyo14Bsz29kDOGaG/s1600-h/Ethnic_Modern2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z1uQQJpeSIfvTkcbPcn2CmPOT_1MUKYa4_ifJO5mv2xthyLQfWNULIwXNR1dZX973MzEXFqgVKQTGcvNEY4j58GTOcLBCMnUtGzZN1MSSaLePiNhvx-sMMzPC5U8Vyo14Bsz29kDOGaG/s400/Ethnic_Modern2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270190469052191970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWEzKaUtrxhhguaylWd4NUQ_H4EB2GSe3y6SF-Ew4NiNnLgTW_xZu-181T4NwTwd7Pq_gKpzFBQgpzDM2d_5xj94gsu3zQjgE36vIO1ReLkC7EG721csIJlW62BnZXYLEBT3nedHkRAJ5/s1600-h/Ethnic_Modern1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWEzKaUtrxhhguaylWd4NUQ_H4EB2GSe3y6SF-Ew4NiNnLgTW_xZu-181T4NwTwd7Pq_gKpzFBQgpzDM2d_5xj94gsu3zQjgE36vIO1ReLkC7EG721csIJlW62BnZXYLEBT3nedHkRAJ5/s400/Ethnic_Modern1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270190467238960882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Saving these for the dream house files...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens]<br /></span></div></div></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-12230239682341010632008-11-14T13:25:00.000-05:002008-11-14T13:31:23.071-05:00Window Shopping: Kinokuniya<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLJWHB1UdxL0GYZHriQRfkkxCoXqyPBw46e0iNzUMs4NDOG4yDMSq3sdWlhpBgLnmzgOQPQP3dR53s1P0EtT6xYNlbbpro8oPCIhimPmSeRROj6iPbNQLIikPyp0mv8dAuZbyXQ4xzspF/s1600-h/k14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLJWHB1UdxL0GYZHriQRfkkxCoXqyPBw46e0iNzUMs4NDOG4yDMSq3sdWlhpBgLnmzgOQPQP3dR53s1P0EtT6xYNlbbpro8oPCIhimPmSeRROj6iPbNQLIikPyp0mv8dAuZbyXQ4xzspF/s320/k14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250189419025326962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWhRYDHOPeyCw03Oigzld_TEfbi6C7Ohq4_mbtmZYnLU21kzaZeybRcKVXQEJIj7hfMqrU18DK01HWKRFyn_m4NvsNtFabI0ldcLB1OVbfEkK0oKlkK5FaP2M0eSHvABVTblAujaMpBt7/s1600-h/k1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWhRYDHOPeyCw03Oigzld_TEfbi6C7Ohq4_mbtmZYnLU21kzaZeybRcKVXQEJIj7hfMqrU18DK01HWKRFyn_m4NvsNtFabI0ldcLB1OVbfEkK0oKlkK5FaP2M0eSHvABVTblAujaMpBt7/s320/k1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250179159069131410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgNTfa33qjG5-avWlPBrFZKj-NVutfzAWPFj6tKoygzRL48I48rCozA_B7URLveQiVBMGhDJtV_DoFigtDrLA4L2srp4fDc7ROe1QjGQXmOrfyLVRh_C0lfubdBBqNz_zdw19r_Ieu8Dw/s1600-h/k15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgNTfa33qjG5-avWlPBrFZKj-NVutfzAWPFj6tKoygzRL48I48rCozA_B7URLveQiVBMGhDJtV_DoFigtDrLA4L2srp4fDc7ROe1QjGQXmOrfyLVRh_C0lfubdBBqNz_zdw19r_Ieu8Dw/s320/k15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250185182341983506" border="0" /></a></div><br />Want to go shopping with me today? I've been saving this one for you. :-) After hearing 'blog-whispers' about an awesome Japanese bookstore in Manhattan, I made a point of popping in after a meeting. And I was not disappointed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qrwEXJRh24DIljelwlGLhSOLUUsG6NzvDiv4-Txc2XlO4ySbhMz0gQsNRtIIwWBF8LHJjk-kF8qeAxSAyFyA5s5eQE_t1MRBAfJim72nSQ3sVqeRyXXqW2iZFOocaf4fBGwhI7vU5Bks/s1600-h/k9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qrwEXJRh24DIljelwlGLhSOLUUsG6NzvDiv4-Txc2XlO4ySbhMz0gQsNRtIIwWBF8LHJjk-kF8qeAxSAyFyA5s5eQE_t1MRBAfJim72nSQ3sVqeRyXXqW2iZFOocaf4fBGwhI7vU5Bks/s320/k9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250183176797483218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakEzt-942vFKpq-4DfB6OYHXvBckiU2g9C-xblx2WX0nenjhRrOARcALeIoGIjSy-5zfDTt-ORHsMYcPqyR6a0L4fWp7uKa0VgS7r-qyS1K7z1co3bPmCDa3zXAbannyTusUAs1E_2EcD/s1600-h/k10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakEzt-942vFKpq-4DfB6OYHXvBckiU2g9C-xblx2WX0nenjhRrOARcALeIoGIjSy-5zfDTt-ORHsMYcPqyR6a0L4fWp7uKa0VgS7r-qyS1K7z1co3bPmCDa3zXAbannyTusUAs1E_2EcD/s320/k10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250183180672336034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ge4_8Qes5Laqa2wBv-5TWTKQasretQFA4k-sEprYnTkz6m-VMBlXBHnYHpSYBe8ZvaPuPHX5aMPSBhJGkcoaZQseyH6ZB4cjhj0JbeioI0BmDrivU53vBAkbXJL-vxr7tpm9M4XH29fc/s1600-h/k11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ge4_8Qes5Laqa2wBv-5TWTKQasretQFA4k-sEprYnTkz6m-VMBlXBHnYHpSYBe8ZvaPuPHX5aMPSBhJGkcoaZQseyH6ZB4cjhj0JbeioI0BmDrivU53vBAkbXJL-vxr7tpm9M4XH29fc/s320/k11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250183179668698226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoxG-sUvwMVzDcFwHvaixeT8uZ-e9bp7QRaxTUb7opgUe9KEoGJ3CCTpzX66bw8PjfrQoEo3U3wuSNSJBPzN5JBdIwaoD2tERjtOUfNJVzf8rJcyP4lLvMBAQ4lJ0Ll33G4kFxr7xhVzs/s1600-h/k12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoxG-sUvwMVzDcFwHvaixeT8uZ-e9bp7QRaxTUb7opgUe9KEoGJ3CCTpzX66bw8PjfrQoEo3U3wuSNSJBPzN5JBdIwaoD2tERjtOUfNJVzf8rJcyP4lLvMBAQ4lJ0Ll33G4kFxr7xhVzs/s320/k12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250183187466478450" border="0" /></a></div><br />Located opposite New York's fabled Bryant Park, <a href="http://http//bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/indexohb.cgi?AREA=03">Kinokuniya</a> is a product-packed gem boasting three floors of hard-to-find goodies. In addition to tons of Japanese magazines and books of all genres, you can expect sweet finds like stylish stationery; kitschy toys; pretty kitchen linens; and exquisite wrapping paper. For intrepid crafters, instructional books on origami jewelry; soap-making and sassy knits abound.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqODAC_PGV4L3QX2yQwQoq8l5Fj5wsSa6Gu3arLVv8Me_QBTxmslvGv4jmNSH_OaFZAMkcJQiygi4eDzrePedAtUBU1dbUn1eygrJs2QjOoctkJ6zWtyf9hw9XYZqR-PQsXZIV66WZ0rx/s1600-h/k17.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqODAC_PGV4L3QX2yQwQoq8l5Fj5wsSa6Gu3arLVv8Me_QBTxmslvGv4jmNSH_OaFZAMkcJQiygi4eDzrePedAtUBU1dbUn1eygrJs2QjOoctkJ6zWtyf9hw9XYZqR-PQsXZIV66WZ0rx/s320/k17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250185606287167234" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrkNgua_EiOm1kvqwoXebTC5hSorrDWUIOiQDjxxsd5rgOxOnfzPeH9Q070YJHdE7lCPDpwjkaLMCzvIeqOiX7LjbNGJ-4NxiGFGXidmPN7k_ErOVgy_Z_suGYyO97Gokcqco8Gw_duwR/s1600-h/IMG_2040.JPG"><img style="width: 235px; height: 203px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrkNgua_EiOm1kvqwoXebTC5hSorrDWUIOiQDjxxsd5rgOxOnfzPeH9Q070YJHdE7lCPDpwjkaLMCzvIeqOiX7LjbNGJ-4NxiGFGXidmPN7k_ErOVgy_Z_suGYyO97Gokcqco8Gw_duwR/s320/IMG_2040.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMQ4f_FDCeI0rRAzoqffhMhIGfYbuo2WDAM9NuXqO_-AstyI38UxKDdOWOpjBVjxzxlke1KRnRvI4NJtFMRcAZaw3IhHBrN-dwglMYWCvUsD47YIBV7ohqymbiE1AIY_6UPie1OKKIWuT/s1600-h/k2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMQ4f_FDCeI0rRAzoqffhMhIGfYbuo2WDAM9NuXqO_-AstyI38UxKDdOWOpjBVjxzxlke1KRnRvI4NJtFMRcAZaw3IhHBrN-dwglMYWCvUsD47YIBV7ohqymbiE1AIY_6UPie1OKKIWuT/s320/k2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250179493649210018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCxFx2gWun35WD97xMWp4OUFe7tUdwgBTNY2l2kTb7aVIRwQVPB6UY7ecvSnkFIRlvIHHIXdVjUODz8NNnSrc3J2MZ9P5GLdnuJqlMPsdIZaIZhQI9owUmoF8x1ZUfq3j0hQionJrVLEw/s1600-h/k13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCxFx2gWun35WD97xMWp4OUFe7tUdwgBTNY2l2kTb7aVIRwQVPB6UY7ecvSnkFIRlvIHHIXdVjUODz8NNnSrc3J2MZ9P5GLdnuJqlMPsdIZaIZhQI9owUmoF8x1ZUfq3j0hQionJrVLEw/s320/k13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250183184883234658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ0Fl6zdw895QgSGy9MhlGIPBT3bP0o6v5HnEywmH2xPpfje_bDJio973VZ5QiY5EGHi2Wq0Y6T9PRQ6MqwtqW90yd65Vv6P_MKcd7wL5afiGkFHs4OgOFt-EyQ6yqDNUF4aQsVZoEzjQ/s1600-h/k8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ0Fl6zdw895QgSGy9MhlGIPBT3bP0o6v5HnEywmH2xPpfje_bDJio973VZ5QiY5EGHi2Wq0Y6T9PRQ6MqwtqW90yd65Vv6P_MKcd7wL5afiGkFHs4OgOFt-EyQ6yqDNUF4aQsVZoEzjQ/s320/k8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250180332656509666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRfF9Lydc7b1A0Je59UlbQSc4LDFYtpDuRiBkoSVQ7ZnGOYO_JDR12FJuXEnDfb4rpOJOjVY21JsGSupFgAOLRy13h_KNCIQka9U-a66AWye4R40tPJ8TJoUo508ht_1-9aEE7-DF6pQT/s1600-h/k6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRfF9Lydc7b1A0Je59UlbQSc4LDFYtpDuRiBkoSVQ7ZnGOYO_JDR12FJuXEnDfb4rpOJOjVY21JsGSupFgAOLRy13h_KNCIQka9U-a66AWye4R40tPJ8TJoUo508ht_1-9aEE7-DF6pQT/s320/k6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250180329717417698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoBsjzQTeDEiQy-fKzH1G9xCW5TmasAdRv_VjDiLuZCD68cK6I315RsWcB4iOvcfWM2JmWvRoZlt0C3PUyZeVTLMMEveJD_VMZyHQHyE60CerwfZtwjcX2gT2sQpxcJdu9-oBHTy9BUoH/s1600-h/kinokuniyabook.jpg"><br /></a></div><br />Confession: I actually missed the entire upper floor. Sensory overload! Don't worry, I'll keep you posted on my next trip. Saw anything you liked? I have my eyes on the lovely koi stationery but that's another story. :-) In the meantime have a great weekend!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-25229594862746586272008-11-12T10:17:00.001-05:002008-11-12T12:00:26.796-05:00It's Gonna Be a Bright Sunshiny Day...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNXTsjW-D6edEvnXQbsOHxM-NST5yHNzPa-F0o4hK0Txpv1H0AMhvgyQ1qbtTtOWH21YlZqoQYGtnnFCOR__xxAOer7AZmngARkmEYbyge30LFTNrcFy87gXn6z1yCMZHgB-b3PDf-5GC/s1600-h/insp-+bedroom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNXTsjW-D6edEvnXQbsOHxM-NST5yHNzPa-F0o4hK0Txpv1H0AMhvgyQ1qbtTtOWH21YlZqoQYGtnnFCOR__xxAOer7AZmngARkmEYbyge30LFTNrcFy87gXn6z1yCMZHgB-b3PDf-5GC/s400/insp-+bedroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267623863279478098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ_FmG7Gdzjxr9v3VK5Lb9cQNJ26mJsm2BfLoa7-XkkRZ4ALJ26rv69r8eBiwFX5j7aIh1FPv_dY-Gmp2qX4_3RvNkl9gIEl0GKLvtuFDNfDIbf63sRoPEHKzvoyDRI4VuXzwyj6PykKB/s1600-h/redyelloworangelroom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ_FmG7Gdzjxr9v3VK5Lb9cQNJ26mJsm2BfLoa7-XkkRZ4ALJ26rv69r8eBiwFX5j7aIh1FPv_dY-Gmp2qX4_3RvNkl9gIEl0GKLvtuFDNfDIbf63sRoPEHKzvoyDRI4VuXzwyj6PykKB/s400/redyelloworangelroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267623858684707282" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T_RIdMqnB9_N5K9rpMTBt2xqami68ULf11TrAFIsdOw02uGt_E_jftjILO-mQcFIwqE-AubHBfgEon-lc-TEhVfnZFlSb0UnvfvaEko7mReQTqMRxCTcVt8u50n61iXz6Xu9re8X3ACp/s1600-h/blueandorangekitchen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T_RIdMqnB9_N5K9rpMTBt2xqami68ULf11TrAFIsdOw02uGt_E_jftjILO-mQcFIwqE-AubHBfgEon-lc-TEhVfnZFlSb0UnvfvaEko7mReQTqMRxCTcVt8u50n61iXz6Xu9re8X3ACp/s400/blueandorangekitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267623855209337266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU0y1B-NF_EsLvTdJXRGj2KOnSjhmO4sBl2JTLr4kHpfbXmLg1nQpoj0Jwtius-4fx1YZ_IfWn3l2IYMlHMf4dvCxvxzNKpkxhcgM8tybYw_EnlQCNj784FMckssWs95JLjhtLvGPV39T/s1600-h/9-26-Fox312.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU0y1B-NF_EsLvTdJXRGj2KOnSjhmO4sBl2JTLr4kHpfbXmLg1nQpoj0Jwtius-4fx1YZ_IfWn3l2IYMlHMf4dvCxvxzNKpkxhcgM8tybYw_EnlQCNj784FMckssWs95JLjhtLvGPV39T/s400/9-26-Fox312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267623851366548594" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo sources unkown]<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Wednesday all, and thanks to those of you who inquired about Pretty*Practical. I'm here nursing a round of musical colds in my family but wanted to let you know I'm still ticking! I swear there's a 10 degree drop in temperature between our home and kindergarten pick-up that doesn't help any. So do share your fave home remedies as I have a feeling I'll be needing them this season. In the meantime, these pretty pics are a real shot of visual vitamin C. Enjoy!<br /></div></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-71871501528206701832008-10-28T22:00:00.000-04:002008-10-28T22:31:32.993-04:00West Coast Chic<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpMgkWF9KrErma78he7ZaI8zKwk5IPSNkeLI68tvIRPGdLvBjK6AQn7F6eRnHG_tfZJvZ-BLHEpp1Wh4Dq8-hQltNQy0FX8J8f_yU_eDR2BjGhIXFOO_GhV4H5q97a8uovm5bc6aaxVSW/s1600-h/bondhouseAT3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpMgkWF9KrErma78he7ZaI8zKwk5IPSNkeLI68tvIRPGdLvBjK6AQn7F6eRnHG_tfZJvZ-BLHEpp1Wh4Dq8-hQltNQy0FX8J8f_yU_eDR2BjGhIXFOO_GhV4H5q97a8uovm5bc6aaxVSW/s320/bondhouseAT3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262394653094306850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cX0Lcd1x-9pjLLobm0wWagHPbi3_aOUOqEngI0byMssg712ymGxfKNzcFNwCXraHMLVprx6MOvyVM7qgk2t224kN-r8RLWTRSW-ipzZATPLn8-iaOX8xOhbFbKrhFMd8vGfRujqWLlbL/s1600-h/bondhouseAT4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cX0Lcd1x-9pjLLobm0wWagHPbi3_aOUOqEngI0byMssg712ymGxfKNzcFNwCXraHMLVprx6MOvyVM7qgk2t224kN-r8RLWTRSW-ipzZATPLn8-iaOX8xOhbFbKrhFMd8vGfRujqWLlbL/s320/bondhouseAT4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262394656528860978" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Seriously, it rained cats and dogs all day here in NYC. I couldn't believe at 9:00 a.m. the sky looked pitch black! To channel some sun, my thoughts turned to the gorgeous California home of Karen Kimmel and James Bond found via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com">Apartment Therapy</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEsAqkm3OoUXncl8B1ntj7F51RIh7WXFvrT3D6elOLjUB_7rzJVTPodoIiGruL7zyoiF7xo1Ub9giHDExtUv2x5W8Rj2e0YtBA8nuLPuoDFLqdl0tZtHoZchyphenhyphens2vCONsx0LLI8CnemvrE/s1600-h/bondhouseAT6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEsAqkm3OoUXncl8B1ntj7F51RIh7WXFvrT3D6elOLjUB_7rzJVTPodoIiGruL7zyoiF7xo1Ub9giHDExtUv2x5W8Rj2e0YtBA8nuLPuoDFLqdl0tZtHoZchyphenhyphens2vCONsx0LLI8CnemvrE/s320/bondhouseAT6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262394902390357906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXf4FvLPwKJCXL89iZBFq2Uh4qxMG_o8N8vPfRDuvRIBLydiyeYtkCG49tRlJ97-y_CSvVsbz9XlUrpld4yCr9sCz4WnUb95G8_qma4b-XzeGjUYusDERTOzo5958jLKHQ4UhnX-mKVEu/s1600-h/bondhouseAT7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXf4FvLPwKJCXL89iZBFq2Uh4qxMG_o8N8vPfRDuvRIBLydiyeYtkCG49tRlJ97-y_CSvVsbz9XlUrpld4yCr9sCz4WnUb95G8_qma4b-XzeGjUYusDERTOzo5958jLKHQ4UhnX-mKVEu/s320/bondhouseAT7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262394906737316258" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZmpPLEfKDU-QsENC4V_xMxSXjDlWqcQsHWNIev-R-FzvjKHxjrAj693WEBx7NT4R82Sg2NZ0mkp-6CyHfthfeviAj_I6bspf8UBgztfVO8FikwFFvkpov73DA9Ea_gJkghtMKlMI6c4Z/s1600-h/bondhouseAT1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZmpPLEfKDU-QsENC4V_xMxSXjDlWqcQsHWNIev-R-FzvjKHxjrAj693WEBx7NT4R82Sg2NZ0mkp-6CyHfthfeviAj_I6bspf8UBgztfVO8FikwFFvkpov73DA9Ea_gJkghtMKlMI6c4Z/s320/bondhouseAT1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262394646863201154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Carefully considered but not overwrought, this cozy home is the perfect antidote to today's torrents. Enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo credit: Jonathan Lo for Apartment Therapy</span><br /></div></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-56301517364013786632008-10-24T15:43:00.001-04:002008-10-24T15:56:51.429-04:00Tinkering With Time<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOtylhV2V7Q6C16z3D1NEm470jyAwD0s_WXLH4QENcQauXi6fpy9zyDTcBvD2c7uNWLNApeTE-f6zamjp7uwRlL2ga7W5RBHUt9W_F6CksKEN0D_d-bDqqcDPOq-XwnzGPXSgJSOvHZK9/s1600-h/clocksPendulumClockcb2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOtylhV2V7Q6C16z3D1NEm470jyAwD0s_WXLH4QENcQauXi6fpy9zyDTcBvD2c7uNWLNApeTE-f6zamjp7uwRlL2ga7W5RBHUt9W_F6CksKEN0D_d-bDqqcDPOq-XwnzGPXSgJSOvHZK9/s400/clocksPendulumClockcb2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260559205052031650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sfaJ4fG2C7zcu9uGhhTETN1QxW-Pv30Jx_ENQE5RmKg2_b8_brmuArUEa5n6O3VW9i2mrLKeWzeDh2ewDkuY1MG32FHHqluT9Lo-fT7EY1HPzH_Vo175Gjp5GqLtmzzSLM2tiTM2ykNR/s1600-h/clocksnavamilanounicahome.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sfaJ4fG2C7zcu9uGhhTETN1QxW-Pv30Jx_ENQE5RmKg2_b8_brmuArUEa5n6O3VW9i2mrLKeWzeDh2ewDkuY1MG32FHHqluT9Lo-fT7EY1HPzH_Vo175Gjp5GqLtmzzSLM2tiTM2ykNR/s400/clocksnavamilanounicahome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260559034901733410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFkmdbyC9ifgQMuU2fOk2msgKuBambgrDzQjkGIPmfMljRcc3r2I_MAUYZ8O8xFQ_XTVVfx1jji2hTh9yAXH4_gL0RxYlsu5Pcm-peMqALKhBP6IYlKV5CB3wsLJZ4gRMfVqH0l-zRbk2/s1600-h/clocksfrequency_clockeq3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFkmdbyC9ifgQMuU2fOk2msgKuBambgrDzQjkGIPmfMljRcc3r2I_MAUYZ8O8xFQ_XTVVfx1jji2hTh9yAXH4_gL0RxYlsu5Pcm-peMqALKhBP6IYlKV5CB3wsLJZ4gRMfVqH0l-zRbk2/s400/clocksfrequency_clockeq3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260559030677992594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu2cljC-oChMjkgHMzccfpH__Zhxstp16OIsXZjxB0lQJMMGw5OheIN-ibMFINCjMjQMv4FmbhXVEGMbE3mkFXmGyQFIfr7AwnMf6Q5ISME2lx2IyuXhEvGKAddle-EQyBtQS23wJDcdC/s1600-h/clocksaroundclockmoma.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu2cljC-oChMjkgHMzccfpH__Zhxstp16OIsXZjxB0lQJMMGw5OheIN-ibMFINCjMjQMv4FmbhXVEGMbE3mkFXmGyQFIfr7AwnMf6Q5ISME2lx2IyuXhEvGKAddle-EQyBtQS23wJDcdC/s400/clocksaroundclockmoma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260559033714593218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtBpKZcvJT-RuWMveFkdEb846iylYjdgmZyvSU_cDPGQLoz0cSfLMzOFA1iX-eqixU0rBjimFSE6kECXikwXO8WiUFAibvLaCBA5vEZVtLqQefo33keTfpZEp7rDKvXTFFWsvLsaWElMr/s1600-h/clockshedge_alarm_clockeq3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtBpKZcvJT-RuWMveFkdEb846iylYjdgmZyvSU_cDPGQLoz0cSfLMzOFA1iX-eqixU0rBjimFSE6kECXikwXO8WiUFAibvLaCBA5vEZVtLqQefo33keTfpZEp7rDKvXTFFWsvLsaWElMr/s400/clockshedge_alarm_clockeq3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260559037884121890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jQuOuR7FzmfgKIh3O0PPDbq45QbqzgKv4H5-OGfKoPwEDWsfJWhZvBrIuojui9vsGwpuVTcDbkndrnWxAp6nXT5BwQetAp2Wa_BUv4SUmwh3BnNaxejKrHNfg11HKOUBcPRffPXUPkIf/s1600-h/clocklotuswallclockmoderndose.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jQuOuR7FzmfgKIh3O0PPDbq45QbqzgKv4H5-OGfKoPwEDWsfJWhZvBrIuojui9vsGwpuVTcDbkndrnWxAp6nXT5BwQetAp2Wa_BUv4SUmwh3BnNaxejKrHNfg11HKOUBcPRffPXUPkIf/s400/clocklotuswallclockmoderndose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260559028724636722" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">[Photo credit: <a href="http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=591&f=4444&q=clock&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1">Pendulum Clock, CB2</a>; <a href="http://www.unicahome.com/p38445/time-square-cube-clock-by-nava-milano.html">Times Square Numeri Soft Clock, Unica Home</a>; <a href="http://eq3.com/cat-eq3/process/locale/en_US/currency/en_US/page/3130-316-7.html">Frequency Clock, EQ3</a>; <a href="http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Around%20Clock_10451_10001_50842">Around Clock, Momastore</a>; <a href="http://eq3.com/cat-eq3/process/locale/en_US/currency/en_US/page/3130-406-8.html">Hedge Alarm Clock, EQ3</a>; <a href="http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?products_id=253">Lotus Wall Clock, Modern Dose</a>. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. - Benjamin Franklin<br /></div><br />Good afternoon my <span style="font-style: italic;">practicalistas</span>! Hope everyone is feeling psyched about the weekend. I sure am. Lately, I've been super-busy with my real job (freelance writing/PR) but no fear I'll still be sneaking in some fabulousness this Friday! :-)<br /><br />By the way, I have a confession. Since last month's earnest promise to <a href="http://prettypractical.blogspot.com/2008/09/friday-pick-me-up.html">tuck in early</a> my words have haunted me. Here's the skinny: I . Just. Can't. Do it. Unless I'm terribly ill or suffering from severe exhaustion, my night-owl tendencies simply threaten my resolve to hit the sacks early.<br /><br />A couple nights ago however, I tried something different and I'm liking it. To give me a buffer between busywork and bedtime, I've taken to curling up with a good read before drifting off to sleep. It's so wonderful I actually look forward to getting into bed - something I dreaded before. I've also rescheduled my bedtime to around 10:30 p.m. - a more realistic time based on my well-documented nocturnal struggles. :-)<br /><br />Hopefully this little tweaking will help. In the meantime, I think lovely timepieces like the ones above would inspire me to stay on track. Anyone else in the same boat?Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-28813097968872688452008-10-17T11:16:00.004-04:002008-10-17T12:30:44.724-04:00DIY Fridays: Medallion Wall Art<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODJ7RX-u7luBWo7z-aL69ereuhfpSRFBvboxCTEnvi9J2LnlptSytxI_X-Pfh6Jrs694t0YLn0ESyRphLEenFzhNv2t7r6wAgJv7qItzBVl__j-1KgmZUw64gDZ3ptFOmCnIHitpQy3xG/s1600-h/ceilingmedallionwalldecorcasasugar.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 409px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODJ7RX-u7luBWo7z-aL69ereuhfpSRFBvboxCTEnvi9J2LnlptSytxI_X-Pfh6Jrs694t0YLn0ESyRphLEenFzhNv2t7r6wAgJv7qItzBVl__j-1KgmZUw64gDZ3ptFOmCnIHitpQy3xG/s400/ceilingmedallionwalldecorcasasugar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258142160612093634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens]</span><br /></div><br />Today's quick-and-easy DIY idea comes from <a href="http://www.bhg.com/">Better Homes and Gardens</a> via <a href="http://casasugar.com/">CasaSugar</a>. Here, large (but lightweight) <a href="http://www.architecturaldepot.com/pc/CM15BM/ceiling-medallions/">ceiling medallions</a> are painted varying shades of yellow to create bold wall art. I really love how these rosettes provide a fresh alternative to mounted plates or baskets - a perfect unexpected touch! For more quick projects click <a href="http://www.diyideas.com/quickprojects/index.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-61337089260417769332008-10-14T09:49:00.011-04:002008-10-14T10:17:56.075-04:00Finding Family-Friendly Digs<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt-ZMeOuR45i2NvAg6urcMuMpoRIrVV03_DzbO2-DmtMsCWBbiwONs57eoWAssuooat6qJK2Lzv_U9P5jpL7JmSbBgxFcPOSTMStqn1-c31rPj8UywJiwQ_vEXo5J9BBSImnSjB82OsE8/s1600-h/kidfriendlyaptsnytimes2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt-ZMeOuR45i2NvAg6urcMuMpoRIrVV03_DzbO2-DmtMsCWBbiwONs57eoWAssuooat6qJK2Lzv_U9P5jpL7JmSbBgxFcPOSTMStqn1-c31rPj8UywJiwQ_vEXo5J9BBSImnSjB82OsE8/s400/kidfriendlyaptsnytimes2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257009384497805090" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Michael Falco/New York Times]<br /></span></div><br />Happy Tuesday everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Columbus Day!<br /><br />I actually spent yesterday afternoon catching up on a ton of reading. One article that caught my eye was a New York Times piece on city families and the trials of apartment-hunting. It was really interesting to see other families sharing similar challenges like trekking up and down flights of stairs; worrying about bothering the neighbors; and having enough space for storage or play. The Times also offered some great tips for finding kid-friendly apartments. You can check them out, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/realestate/05cov.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&sq=apartment&st=cse&scp=4">here</a>.<br /><br />In the not so distant future our family will definitely require more space as the kids grow-up and need to spread out. On my wish-list: a backyard! Really, it's all I care about and it's the most practical of all my desires. To be able to open the backdoor and say "go run" is a heaven to me. In fact, I'm still drooling over the modern Brooklyn backyard (below) featured in the May 2007 issue of <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/">Domino</a>. Definitely my idea of an urban retreat!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC3MPClgHuQV82H2uO-LYbY5n2mWUgCI1K8W-V21ValOYjlG3VCtaOKYS2h_yeqm2h7wHiyGj4iLfkdQ-JtgeraPXxpF0-BqCEogUTzEXWg1JsLT6v9JPV8QPF_ceCUfcKSAE4l-CrqpG/s1600-h/dominobackyard1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC3MPClgHuQV82H2uO-LYbY5n2mWUgCI1K8W-V21ValOYjlG3VCtaOKYS2h_yeqm2h7wHiyGj4iLfkdQ-JtgeraPXxpF0-BqCEogUTzEXWg1JsLT6v9JPV8QPF_ceCUfcKSAE4l-CrqpG/s400/dominobackyard1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256839065934308674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TWIxCaaihvQh0_GFCWwCUtI3VIXUXSiAYAKTHkytnjauuz6qCVE3MCatdnaecnJwRvmTzRRwlpsI82ltDL3pny6isGj10y-7n9Tmav7hsawY2CWs9-Qv-ZDxteu96YK6u8awpKIBOLH4/s1600-h/dominobackyard2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TWIxCaaihvQh0_GFCWwCUtI3VIXUXSiAYAKTHkytnjauuz6qCVE3MCatdnaecnJwRvmTzRRwlpsI82ltDL3pny6isGj10y-7n9Tmav7hsawY2CWs9-Qv-ZDxteu96YK6u8awpKIBOLH4/s400/dominobackyard2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256839072163212818" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div></div><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Domino/Lucas Allen]</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Another nice extra would be a bay window. So fantastic! I imagine myself outfitting it as a cozy reading nook like Victoria from <a href="http://www.sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com/">sfgirlbybay</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6dG8Hu8uTddbwlLMO32_XCuB6HLImxXFDAdPpW3lGuvbfCYhyTxdibzABd_Fg5qIhKzF8lQxfgMtJCghDHN2mk6s0nXmQMb_RDvTWPis11C3-2mfFkBO6Q3Jn2sEpOsAVz3kZ0qpMf1l/s1600-h/sfgirlbybayreadingnook.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6dG8Hu8uTddbwlLMO32_XCuB6HLImxXFDAdPpW3lGuvbfCYhyTxdibzABd_Fg5qIhKzF8lQxfgMtJCghDHN2mk6s0nXmQMb_RDvTWPis11C3-2mfFkBO6Q3Jn2sEpOsAVz3kZ0qpMf1l/s400/sfgirlbybayreadingnook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256833252322331938" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Sfgirlbybay]</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br />Oh, and a large dining area to accommodate a <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=883&f=14071&q=big+sur&fromL">Big Sur</a> dining table - seating for all! Ok, enough day-dreaming! :-)<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYun-RBlQknMeWUMUhlsbdqfUkdjLqOqrqKgCiqYm111H_6i0buSaNzMBOD2LCk2fb-OJthoOYmk07HCbxgz9AoDqf1nKuoxlxe0P1svatet6hFPx7hcTk4H0SNtilCvKpeQOzY5V8-6Tp/s1600-h/crate-barrel-big-sur-dining-table-set.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYun-RBlQknMeWUMUhlsbdqfUkdjLqOqrqKgCiqYm111H_6i0buSaNzMBOD2LCk2fb-OJthoOYmk07HCbxgz9AoDqf1nKuoxlxe0P1svatet6hFPx7hcTk4H0SNtilCvKpeQOzY5V8-6Tp/s400/crate-barrel-big-sur-dining-table-set.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256843525528132530" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Photo credit: Crate and Barrel via <a href="http://www.trendir.com/">Trendir</a>]</span><br /></div><br />If you're looking to make your next move, what's on <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> wish-list? And if you are already in your dream home, what do you love most? I'm excited to hear what you have to say!Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-44959301428761699502008-10-06T11:30:00.004-04:002008-10-06T21:32:30.696-04:00What I'm Loving Now: Moroccan Poufs<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrty1O-Cx6qhFA0G9Q_BgQenAhwbWWM3r26bSn-LZW0W9opT9_Ny3iW0yagFv4myO7FaRp3piI53iBTGuhWDDTaCOl7msWvvZSwu_DBJfqsrqhgwv8IX0-INIzy__7Wllp8XlI2Q7BrXUG/s1600-h/david+netto1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 418px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrty1O-Cx6qhFA0G9Q_BgQenAhwbWWM3r26bSn-LZW0W9opT9_Ny3iW0yagFv4myO7FaRp3piI53iBTGuhWDDTaCOl7msWvvZSwu_DBJfqsrqhgwv8IX0-INIzy__7Wllp8XlI2Q7BrXUG/s400/david+netto1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253848613221324930" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">[Photo credit: David Netto for Teen Vogue]<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I saw it the other day via <a href="http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/">Desire To Inspire</a>. It called out to me. It yearned to be mine. Do you see it? There. That little red-gumdrop-of-a-pouf tucked under the sleek white desk. Yes, that's the one. I haven't stopped dreaming about it ever since.<br /><br />While some may dismiss Moroccan poufs as a trend that's <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> last year. I think these ottomans are in fact a beautiful basic - fun and functional for everyday living. And, I've rounded up my faves just for you. From the pricey square orange ottoman that will <span style="font-style: italic;">make</span> your room to the smaller scale (and budget friendly) camel patchwork ottoman that's great for kids.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxnTvC-DvQKFbkk-wA7gYvE_lsIdK443Db-KwQhfbig_Oc5-YehXt7WoTfKg6cp46bQtOTT4YhmzMEqMdWUPm4JfVanRaQ_PTtvhBBd93WPFFsWCZEMFAz1imW7PKb3cXDB9JNbKj8Eje/s1600-h/mosaikpouf5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxnTvC-DvQKFbkk-wA7gYvE_lsIdK443Db-KwQhfbig_Oc5-YehXt7WoTfKg6cp46bQtOTT4YhmzMEqMdWUPm4JfVanRaQ_PTtvhBBd93WPFFsWCZEMFAz1imW7PKb3cXDB9JNbKj8Eje/s400/mosaikpouf5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253862465583426706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7FbKXTAzQ8NdEV6C-7KF8zE6XDAHtffgleqybyYOVt-40X3a4OEmB5fwOeY3LABF9Pohi8FZA8rwlt5QfMIEEi692zx3RS8TXF__8Gw2J1YJ3LK_9_E1k5AvsruSFVKFCwcQPvZ-rW2Z/s1600-h/tazidesignspouf9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7FbKXTAzQ8NdEV6C-7KF8zE6XDAHtffgleqybyYOVt-40X3a4OEmB5fwOeY3LABF9Pohi8FZA8rwlt5QfMIEEi692zx3RS8TXF__8Gw2J1YJ3LK_9_E1k5AvsruSFVKFCwcQPvZ-rW2Z/s400/tazidesignspouf9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254057666125259410" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5fC5MoXDKhfCt_vX2L5PFETrd82Tg76quuUbzJPn1h8Vb3Cj7nbkzYCq-mMCnRJjwWhnnRTnQfe4Xs1ptpsL5Z93t_KmA3TSo5yCOll_R2l_pM25tUHN5HwXkSPodmoaqyEWQU33FW8w/s1600-h/tazidesignspouf7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5fC5MoXDKhfCt_vX2L5PFETrd82Tg76quuUbzJPn1h8Vb3Cj7nbkzYCq-mMCnRJjwWhnnRTnQfe4Xs1ptpsL5Z93t_KmA3TSo5yCOll_R2l_pM25tUHN5HwXkSPodmoaqyEWQU33FW8w/s400/tazidesignspouf7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254055709212959906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv91Oj9D9LUTPenVRGCh_tBuj3rzNgNosFSVIyY9Zf6Aj258HxPqPZdQWuoH8yemJOvw7HhUUOXBCL6-SOLR192tDMhnzFC0ElqGgT0aNyUQBqAR775tJsWtJbe5WWj46PGwn3uX70lhs/s1600-h/johnderianpouf3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv91Oj9D9LUTPenVRGCh_tBuj3rzNgNosFSVIyY9Zf6Aj258HxPqPZdQWuoH8yemJOvw7HhUUOXBCL6-SOLR192tDMhnzFC0ElqGgT0aNyUQBqAR775tJsWtJbe5WWj46PGwn3uX70lhs/s400/johnderianpouf3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253851135641740322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFAaC4qwM9LHRBxg2gDUeZAu0pMQ7XkyGkWVqZJSBwSi2MvKbLHm0YUzW6E52nyzwi_eF7K5KFhYTYUVmyBUGfvYllZ_ahSel5O9__AeZkuZgWRlFA76LWEign9FYy6O9nntSso-YBaEv/s1600-h/yurdanpouf8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFAaC4qwM9LHRBxg2gDUeZAu0pMQ7XkyGkWVqZJSBwSi2MvKbLHm0YUzW6E52nyzwi_eF7K5KFhYTYUVmyBUGfvYllZ_ahSel5O9__AeZkuZgWRlFA76LWEign9FYy6O9nntSso-YBaEv/s400/yurdanpouf8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254056556321844034" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Clockwise from top left: Chocolate brown pouf, <a href="http://www.e-mosaik.com/detail.aspx?ID=858">Mosaik</a>$295; orange cylinder, <a href="http://www.tazidesigns.com/catalog/pouf/582">Tazi Designs</a> $120; red pouf, <a href="http://johnderian.com/index_home.html">John Derian</a> $265; camel patchwork pouf, <a href="http://www.yurdan.com/yrdn/ProductDetails.aspx?catalogID=YRDN_HomeDecor&categoryID=HomeDecor_LeatherPouffes&productID=HDLP105&BC=YRDN_HomeDecor;HomeDecor_LeatherPouffes">Yurdan</a> $25.50; orange square, <a href="http://www.tazidesigns.com/catalog/pouf/618">Tazi Designs</a> $450. See anything you like? They are all so yummy!<br /></div></div><br />Last, but by no means least, a big thank you to Ancil at <a href="http://www.kickerinc.com/newflash.html">Kicker Inc.</a> for the new Pretty*Practical banner. I love it! And of course to all of you, Happy Monday! :-)Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470279967809371722.post-33062131050248243992008-10-02T06:00:00.001-04:002008-10-02T06:00:00.468-04:00Too Cool For School<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r_-qYmSuhIQee60Q0zY3NSsHtgnW3d9G0IMQzSbFPURqdwaOLGKGzxvSbF0R7G1OztSnJu6grYfU-zlkfiqm56gx637D5lfkhsbfqI66TWhpmKsI59aj1IOQH77TcqmubPLrfcoLQyrW/s1600-h/p&c6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r_-qYmSuhIQee60Q0zY3NSsHtgnW3d9G0IMQzSbFPURqdwaOLGKGzxvSbF0R7G1OztSnJu6grYfU-zlkfiqm56gx637D5lfkhsbfqI66TWhpmKsI59aj1IOQH77TcqmubPLrfcoLQyrW/s400/p&c6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252393320737716434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiqjXPhZ5RR5omNp2KMJDOsy95eMNaU5XXM4YLcK93v6k62MNNdJzOsIjxZtg4MZI8zWtC3T8k1AHtei96e4SEJ73a45mhxyGcWsrb6YwcbprDKfv9Dsq6NllSKN-SDGNj7U6bKdQuUJA/s1600-h/p&c1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiqjXPhZ5RR5omNp2KMJDOsy95eMNaU5XXM4YLcK93v6k62MNNdJzOsIjxZtg4MZI8zWtC3T8k1AHtei96e4SEJ73a45mhxyGcWsrb6YwcbprDKfv9Dsq6NllSKN-SDGNj7U6bKdQuUJA/s400/p&c1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252392823570824482" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Biscuit cards (left); Over the Rainbow Notebook]<br /></span></div><br />With all the talk of 'bailouts' and 'buy-ins', some good old-fashioned window-shopping seems in order. So today, we'll travel across the pond to England to take a peek at <a href="http://www.presentandcorrect.com">Present and Correct</a> an amazing paper goods store featuring a host of unique finds.<br /><br />Born out of a "long term obsession with stationery", P&C is a design-lovers paradise. Really, there is so much to love here! But if pressed, my faves are those yummy Biscuit cards; the sweet XYZ print; and that adorable Smile Pen. See anything you like?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_fT620FKkUTBRHrZaWDtB8iFK7SEijSTzQE3ExVa8PzzjIMLQFjna3kFt8w2Y4L5hw0fY52WRFJyK5jmfaLqbFUzVZ6G2nAX7Q-C8tDuPXbEEwD53uu4M7ooSdXzE4vH5lQ0cCitcAGu/s1600-h/p&c7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_fT620FKkUTBRHrZaWDtB8iFK7SEijSTzQE3ExVa8PzzjIMLQFjna3kFt8w2Y4L5hw0fY52WRFJyK5jmfaLqbFUzVZ6G2nAX7Q-C8tDuPXbEEwD53uu4M7ooSdXzE4vH5lQ0cCitcAGu/s400/p&c7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252393320413739618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tuy4zqiHaFa7rOgGd8ZXJNdkR5yNOcPYCybq_AEPl-0scm0in9RHydx-b3rQlJLs620kuo_hKToJYUJywwugEVJqSVnVSp8nw-mlsgm5f-W-Q1ggDbWG8CkZeGFmd9chZPjmyWLzBfIt/s1600-h/p&c8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tuy4zqiHaFa7rOgGd8ZXJNdkR5yNOcPYCybq_AEPl-0scm0in9RHydx-b3rQlJLs620kuo_hKToJYUJywwugEVJqSVnVSp8nw-mlsgm5f-W-Q1ggDbWG8CkZeGFmd9chZPjmyWLzBfIt/s400/p&c8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252393321283631458" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[XYZ print (left); Paper and Brass Clock]<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrCmSC_FvFDLChc4BORRryS_JFT3DlGsknMED4wb0Un6WjHKqvYzSzDZWlguAxuzrDygTGItwHzF51Q1wo9KeAHu4lE8WJ_RgHA2uyCSenxhpJBGZGHz3k9OYYAeLmdsSEVYkSrM1astQ/s1600-h/p&c2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrCmSC_FvFDLChc4BORRryS_JFT3DlGsknMED4wb0Un6WjHKqvYzSzDZWlguAxuzrDygTGItwHzF51Q1wo9KeAHu4lE8WJ_RgHA2uyCSenxhpJBGZGHz3k9OYYAeLmdsSEVYkSrM1astQ/s400/p&c2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252392824095164610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV4hVRlV_17VlW39OiLg0LCzOPgIWHPbuyGYlHODb-TvseU9HLUw1RQ4TRT9l_iGugIBjWfwjiXJyiTbK8co1dyjvrJGVHA_KYMbz12pT0i6PWPhomnYJsbcXaQA4fIjdTYiiMslmR5zQ/s1600-h/P&c3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV4hVRlV_17VlW39OiLg0LCzOPgIWHPbuyGYlHODb-TvseU9HLUw1RQ4TRT9l_iGugIBjWfwjiXJyiTbK8co1dyjvrJGVHA_KYMbz12pT0i6PWPhomnYJsbcXaQA4fIjdTYiiMslmR5zQ/s400/P&c3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252392820249333970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[Big Boy Wraps (left); Smile Pen]</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYPEAcQ11SQq2iKg29V45uepMKYmwHJR3lWxj9cxgdp9djOTgcwarcZTQtjfYJTCKI1CKJ4XVIkMmnKhmUABwLr3HK0VQ-B1ijw4l7eZhmmUU-f7XnLOxkSbz5rLtUyCC2o9vwZJFsfYF/s1600-h/p&c4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYPEAcQ11SQq2iKg29V45uepMKYmwHJR3lWxj9cxgdp9djOTgcwarcZTQtjfYJTCKI1CKJ4XVIkMmnKhmUABwLr3HK0VQ-B1ijw4l7eZhmmUU-f7XnLOxkSbz5rLtUyCC2o9vwZJFsfYF/s400/p&c4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252392822370241890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr09_DSzMsBTxtuCT11zH31Mk899lkPHoASZaei7FNIbTPBFSDhCcPSlupRfIHAJ1CyUeKYMDvFmFR_96awJpo5qkVvro8_Mi0hXjI_Mz68blJQTixgx1-vUiQjR1yzPkRDcJIy0Q9b8y/s1600-h/p&c5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr09_DSzMsBTxtuCT11zH31Mk899lkPHoASZaei7FNIbTPBFSDhCcPSlupRfIHAJ1CyUeKYMDvFmFR_96awJpo5qkVvro8_Mi0hXjI_Mz68blJQTixgx1-vUiQjR1yzPkRDcJIy0Q9b8y/s400/p&c5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252392824507427186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Colouring Chalk (left); Animal Drawing Cards]<br /></span></div>Pretty*Practicalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870737156515697186noreply@blogger.com0