A few months ago I completed my DIY makeover on an Ikea Tarva dresser.  It was such fun to transform the simple piece of furniture into something custom.  In researching other ideas for DIY furniture facelifts, I came across these amazing ‘O’verlays’. Designed especially for the beautification of Ikea furniture, these decorative panels are the easy way to make something ordinary look like a million bucks!

(pic from HGTV)

‘Tis the time in my life when some of the people closest to me are tying the knot! I feel lucky to have an inside scoop on event design and am happy to lend a helping hand when I can.  My bestie is getting married this summer and she and I are hard at work to find way to make her big day the most vibrant, colorful party you’ve ever seen.  While brainstorming I came across these awesome gradient candles from product designer Ulrike Jurklies.  I love the vibrant colors she’s used and think they are a great way to infuse a pop of color into a tablescape.  See more of her designs here.

My gorgeous cousin is getting hitched this coming year and I couldn’t be happier! She and her fiance live in beautiful Christchurch, New Zealand (he’s a native kiwi) and it’s been such fun to be getting wedding planning updates from afar! This past week, she sent me a link to the amazing Juliette Hogan‘s website.  Hogan’s gorgeous dresses (bridesmaids’ and otherwise) have me swooning! Here are a few of my faves.

I am a sucker for dumplings.  Any kind of dumpling really, from perogies to shumai, I’m into it.  Recently, I decided it was time to try my hand at making some myself ,and boy, am I glad I did.  Not only were they relatively easy to make- there’s nothing like a freshly made dumpling to really hit the spot.  Here’s what I did.

For the filling mix in a large bowl:

• 1 lb pork(ground raw) *substitute chicken, turkey, or tofu to change it up a bit
• 3 tsp soy sauce
• 3 tsp sesame oil
• dash of chili oil
• 1 tbspn ginger
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 chopped scallions

Put a small spoonful of the mixture on the lower half of store bought wonton wrappers.  Fold over and use a little water or egg wash to seal. Make sure there isn’t a lot of air trapped inside your dumpling by gently pressing it out.

Meanwhile to make the sauce mix:

• 1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
•   1/4 cup water
•  soy sauce (to taste)
•  rice wine vinegar (to taste)
• sesame oil (to taste)
• 1/2 clove garlic (chopped)
• chili oil (to taste)

in a saucepan over low heat until everything is smooth and blended.  Make sure to stir often to avoid burning.  Adjust water to make your sauce thicker/thinner. (I like to do all of this to taste so have fun experimenting with ratios til you find your perfect blend.)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and place dumplings in it.  Cook for a minute or so after they rise to the surface of the water.  Remove from boiling water with slotted spoon and put into hot peanut sauce.  Serve Immediately!

I think Pia Jane Bijkerk is one incredibly talented lady.  Her styling, books, and kitchen adventures having me swooning. Perhaps most inspiring, is her lovely little houseboat in Amsterdam.  The ‘petit batuea vert’ was featured a few years back in Anthology Magazine.  I still look back at this spread when I want to dream a bit about having a floating house of my own.  See the article and read more about Pia here.

I’m always on the search for the perfect hostess gift.  Seed bombs seem to be all the rage at the moment but when I came across these ‘Garden Bon Bons’ from Moulton  I was excited that I no longer had to decide between bringing flowers or chocolates. Each box of bon bons is filled with seed bombs made to look truffles.  I also love that they come in different varieties like ‘herbal teas’ and ‘cocktail garnishes’ so that you can tailor the gift towards the hostess.   All she has to do is plant them in her garden and voila- she’ll be growing a plethora of yummy herbs in no time.  For those who are more of the DIY sort, try this “make your own seed bomb’ instructional.  Enjoy!

I liked the fact that it was unfinished- so I could paint it or stain it- and I loved the simple shape.  First I puttied and sanded the existing holes for hardware then painted the entire chest in a high gloss color. After some debate, I decided to go with a bright rosey pink. Then came the hardware…

I hot glued these brass corner braces where I wanted them before drilling holes and attaching them.  That way I could make sure they were all properly aligned before making them permanent.  At first I wanted to have campaign styled hardware but then I came across these leather trunk handles and couldn’t resist.

After lots of measuring & remeasuring I attached the trunk handles and voila! I think one day I might change the color to something a bit more classic but for now I’m stoked to have a fun pop of color brightening up my room.

I have my eye on a few things at the moment and so to quell the urge to go on a serious shopping spree I thought why not share them with others.  I am loving this artisan apron made from waxed canvas and leather.  Think how hardcore we would look working on flowers in these!

I may not be able to resist this amazing hippo embroidery from Michele Varian.  The whole series is so amazing and cheeky.  I want them all! They would look fabulous hanging in a powder room.

Someone just snatched this one up from Etsy.  It’s a little heartbreaking but I’m glad such a fabulous clutch is on it’s way to a new home! Find a similar one here.

What’s on your wishlist?

We are off to celebrate Michael & Sierra’s nuptials! We, and about twenty bags (you know we had to lug half of the Trove along to make the table extra special), will be gone for a little over a week.  We’ll let you know about all the details when we return! Have a great week and a happy Valentine’s Day.

xoxox

(pic from here)