Weddings seem to be all about lace and pearls and all manner of frippery, and for those of us who weren’t all that into the girly stuff to begin with, it can start to feel pretty suffocating:
Frankly, drowned in a sea of pink roses and satin ruffles is not exactly the way I want to go out.
What about the kind of girl who prefers typography over calligraphy, functional over fussy, prosecco over champagne, thank you very much? For the unfussy, design minded bride, it can seem like there aren’t a lot of options.
It takes a little time and effort (although if you’ve ever spent a day kerning letters that’s not really a problem for you) but options, they can be found. So thank your lucky stars for Etsy, and the fact that, going for the unexpected and original is massively, makes you spit your celebratory prosecco out, affordable.
- Custom Cake Toppers by Goosegrease
These little wooden dolls are adorable cake toppers – personal, but modern, in a clean-lined Scandinavian sort of way.
Even though wedding toppers are perhaps, a little old-fashioned, and a bit of a silly indulgence, I really love them because I think personal ones are an awesome keepsake to remember your day. A little statue of you and your boy in your finest sitting on the mantle is a much more unique than the ubiquitous, over-sized, wedding portrait.
- Ruffle Dress by Lisa Rietz
This dress is just plain gorgeous and that’s the bottom line. A wedding custom dress, in your size, for that price? Even more amazing.
It’s white and it’s satin, and it’s got ruffles – so no ones’ going to think you’re a guest at your own wedding – but it does all of those things in a way which is fresh, clean, modern and just a little unconventional. It’s a dress that does everything the best graphic design should do – it expresses itself in a precise but intriguing way.
- Unpearl Necklace by Smashing
If you’re a designer, you probably find it a lot of fun to play around with, and subvert cliches, and the pearl necklace at the wedding certainly is one.
This handmade piece brings a certain, unexpected, industrial, edge to the old-standby, and I love it.
- Felt Fascinator by Chirichi
A girl’s gotta have something silly and pretty on her wedding day, and what better way to fulfill that need than with this little concoction?
The use of graphic black and white felt keeps it from straying into fussy and froofy territory.
- Flipped Black Diamond Ring by Kate Szabone
This is by the gal who did my engagement ring (and wedding band), and can I say?
Genius.
If I were a little more gutsy, I totally would have gone for something like this. It’s completely the opposite of what’s expected (a black diamond? Up-side down? Whaaaaat?) but gorgeous. Your friends will work themselves into a tizzy when the see it (PS: Black diamonds are dirt cheap, so you can rock something the size of a babies fist for the same price as somebody else’s boringly tasteful ring).
P.S. I avoided the whole invitations quagmire, because I’m thinking this bride has already got that down. This bride’s already got a signature typeface and monogram picked out, and knows her cardstock will be a pale blue Strathmore watercolour paper, and could also tell you the paper weight and envelope size, if asked. She does not need help with graphic design projects.
… She = Me, obviously.
In honor of my chocolate diamond ring, here are some unexpected and original uses for chocolate.
- Root Beer Bundt Cake
Root Beer has always been my favourite soda flavour, since I was a wee girl, and my parents have the photos to prove my adoration for chocolate cake (everybody has one of those cake-smeared first birthday pictures somewhere, right?). This recipe has me salivating at the very concept of combining the two, and does what the Baked boys do best – capture the joy of childhood in cake form.
- Chocolate Beer Cupcakes
Beer. Chocolate.
Chocolate. Beer.
Nuff said, am I right?
Actually, this whole Superbowl menu sounds pretty awesome. I might just find an excuse to have a Superbowl party, even though I can’t stand sports.
- Chocolate Truffle Tart with Creme Brule
I am Amelie when it comes to Creme Brule. A meal out just isn’t complete without it – and shame on those fancy chefs out there screwing with the classic and adding all manner of flavoring to overpower it’s simple, sweet, creamy, custardy, caramely glory.
But this? Placing a classic creme brule on top of a truffle tart? Keeping both flavors distinct, but delightfully paired? I approve. Carry on.
- Guinness Chocolate Ice Cream
More beer. More chocolate. This time involving Guinness and ice cream. There is no no. There is only YES!
- New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookie
This is the one recipe on this list I have tried and loved – and boy did I love. This recipe has been thoroughly making the rounds on the ol’ blogosphere – and for good reason. It’s a revolutionary way of making and old favourite that just might turn your world a little tipsy turvy. Although one needn’t buy into the hype of using special flour, and fancy chips. Just use whatever you have around, the real important part is to let the dough sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours, and to salt the tops before you pop them in the oven. Then prepare for heaven on earth, inside of your mouth.
After that earlier pie post, you knew this was coming, right? And you were excited, right?
There’s been some discussion in the blog-o-sphere that macarons might be the new cupcakes. This is wrong headed. Macarons are simply not nostalgic, comfy, heartwarming treats. Macarons are light and indulgent and fancy. Macarons are maybe the new truffles – but pies are totally the new cupcakes.
- The Kitchn’s Best Pie Bakeoff
Just like it sounds, a pie bake-off, but internet based. I like the sounds of the prize winner for “Best Looking Pie”: Candy Apple Pie. Yum.
- The Piehole
Did you know Olive, Chuck and Ned had their own little recipe site? Well, They do. Or they, er, rather… did. You too can learn how to make cute little tiny cup pies, or bake with cheese. And then you can sob into your home baked slice about our dearly departed (canceled) friends…
Fingers crossed for a movie or comic book, people.
- Pie crafts!
If you’re handy with felt (or a paypal account, as the case may be), my cats would really appreciate one of these Organic Catnip Pies. Cats should not get left out of the fun of pies.
Or if you’re handy with knitting needles, I would really appreciate one of these Pie Berets. I would look silly, sure, but I would totally wear it if you made it for me.
- Baked: New Frontiers in Baking
This cookbook has been getting raves from all the foodie types on the net, and well deserved ones, it seems. They actually have a recipe for a Root Beer Chocolate cake. Yeah, I know, right?
But… Pies? You say. Of course. How does a Pumpkin whoopie pie sound? Warm and cosy, just like a pie should? Well then, this book has you covered. It’s fresh, but nostalgic, take on flavours and easy to follow recipes will win you over.
And the pictures are really, really, really pretty. Which doesn’t hurt either.
- Apple Pie
No really.
Apple. Pie.
Ummmm… You should probably click on that link and see for yourself.
- extra low coffee table
If I didn’t already have a (chinoiserie) coffee table that I have already DIY’d (painted turquoise), I’d consider Ikea hacking this project – I think it looks like 60’s mod Italian design. It would look pretty cool with my Olivetti Valentine sitting on top of it. I also like how the ‘hackee,’ like the Native Americans, used all parts of the ikea shelves to make it, wasting nothing.
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pretty up a party with paper
These are just too pretty, and festive. I’m a sucker for anything involving cut paper – but this little project is a combination of ephemeral and affordable that is just perfect for a party.
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twig serving platter
This is a variation on that plates-and-cups-glued-together tea tier craft that we’ve seen – but I think it’s an especially clean, modern and vaguely Scandinavian take on it.
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revamping a lamp
The cats knocked over my floor lamp with a drum shade, shattering the plastic on the inside. I freaked out – because drum shades are really hard to find, and expensive when you do (and this one was particularly cute – white canvas with a black branch pattern). Seeing this little tutorial for how to make your own drum shade a day or two later made me sigh with relief.
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tater stamped kitchen curtain
These are simple and sweet. Plus it’s cheap as potatoes and easy enough for a small child.
- Pumpkin Tortilla Soup @ the Kitchn
If you’ve still got pumpkin kicking around, (and I’m betting you do – it’s a proving to be a pretty ubiquitous/trendy ingredient this fall) this is a great recipe to try out – especially if you’re not in the mood for something sweet. The pumpkin makes the soup super velvety, and combined with avocados it just drove me crazy with it’s deliciousness.
- What’s Cooking? with Jamie Oliver
Umm, so Jamie Oliver put out a video game for the Nintendo DS. Weird, right? As much as cooking and video games are two of my greatest loves, I’m not sure they mix all that well, even if Jamie does put his rather awesome stamp on it. As a very good friend once put it (although I think he was talking about Nu Metal at the time) it’s like mixing soup with ice cream. I love both, but that doesn’t mean I want to eat them together.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Pie
Now this is an odd combination I can totally get behind: an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind themed pie, inspired by the movie Waitress. Yes, it’s tangerine flavoured. What’s not to love about that?
- milk eggs chocolate
Just a new little blog that I stumbled on that combines adorable illustrations with a strong design sense and vegan comfort foods. Sounds pretty nice and cosy right? BTW The girl who writes it is from Portland. You know how I feel about Portland.
- Cooks County Cookbook
I love the home-spun graphic design of Cooks Country Magazine, and of course recipes don’t get any better than those of the editors, (also of America’s Test Kitchen, and Cook’s Illustrated). Even more than all that though, I looooooooove regional and traditional American food. It’s one of my little obsessions. So, fingers crossed that Santa sends me this one for Christmas.
If you’re in a celebratory mood (and even though I’m a Canadian, I know I am) here’s some links to revel in:
- Inside Barack Obama’s iPod
He has excellent taste in music – he loves Stevie Wonder. So do I Barry, so do I.
- Beautiful pictures from the Obama campaign
My all time favourite picture of Obama, is the one of him hanging from a bar in a gymnasium, doing a pull-up (I think it’s pretty symbolic of not just strength, and resolve, but also a good sense of humour) but really there’s a lot of photogenic to go around with this guy.
- The Speech
A thorough examination of Obama’s breakthrough 2004 DNC speech. A must-read for anyone interested in not only, how this whole thing got started in the first place, but how Obama’s rhetorical skills were honed (am I the only speech-geek in the room? Yes? Oh. Well, I blame Aaron Sorkin).
- A More Perfect Union
His speech on race gave me chills and tears in equal measure, but I do love a good oratory. If you haven’t watched/read it yet, now’s probably the time to do so.
- Barack Obama, Forever Sizing Up
A interesting exploration of the personality and possibilities of the future President that will be.
A few more things I’d like to share:
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Small Magazine
I tend to swoon over adorable, high-end childrens magazines. This one is free and on the internet, so I don’t have to feel weird about paying money for a magazine about something I don’t have (yet).
And really, I would wear every last outfit in there if they made it adult sizes. There is some gorgeous, swoon-worthy stuff. Check it out.
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Pumpkin Recipes
It’s a pumpkiny season, and there is a bumper crop of squashes out there to be scooped up at discounted prices, so a New York Times collection of pumpkin based recipes is pretty timely. Plus, pumpkins are delicous.
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Ombre Crafts
Ombre is pretty. Crafts are fun. These pretty and fun ombre crafts live in that unique Martha Stewart universe where crafty projects end up looking high end, and elegant. You know, as opposed our own dimension where the words “Crafty” and “Elegant” are often mutually exclusive.
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Typocalypse
Diagnose your font use. Figure out what your typography choices say about you (I like to dance on the ceiling, it turns out).
- the candi factory
Karen over at Say It With Pie has long sung the praises of these hand made, artisinal undies. They went on sale, so I finally broke down and bought a set – a days of the weeks set, to be specific – because who doesn’t love an adorable days of the weeks set of underwear? And they’re typographic underwear, no less! Monday is Cooper Black!
Karen says, on top of being really cute, they last forever, and are super comfy. So far I’ve already found the latter to be inordinately true. These things are heaven. Plus, I am strongly behind any operation that simply does not believe in thongs. Sing it, sister.
This might just become a thing.
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A friendly little tutorial for shooting “Through The Viewfinder”
Which is a method of getting really neat, old-fashioned, artfully flawed images using a digital camera – along with a old twin lens reflex cameras’ viewfinder. I’ve always loved the way these shots looked, I had no idea producing them was so easy. If this works with my little Canon point and shoot (which it should – it has a pretty awesome macro setting), I’m totally gonna start searching for an old twin lens camera when I thrift.
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Booty Juggler
I may or may not have wasted a good half an hour on this cute little game.
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Black Eiffel
Just a new blog find filled with pretty-pretty things of all varieties. The kind of pretty that inspires rampant and uncontrollable urges to be materialist. But so do many of the pretty-pretty blogs I read. Sigh. It might be time take a break from reading those for a little while. Just until I stop hemorrhaging money.
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Carnivale Lune Bleue
A retro-revival nineteen-thirties-style carnival – complete with concessions, candy apples, carousel, ferris wheel, and circus show. I was very sad when I found out I missed this entirely this summer. There’s always next summer though.
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Buddha Dogs
We had some on the weekend. They were delicious – totally the best hot-dogs I’ve ever had (although, it should be said that they don’t really resemble traditional hot dogs all that closely, so consider yourself forewarned). They are little artisinal sausages (that taste a bit like teensy fresh salamis) accompanied by one of four (locally sourced) cheeses and a one of a dozen sauces (cooked up individually by the best chefs in the city using fresh, local ingredients). A lot of internet types seem to be upset that portions are small, and the concept pretentious. I would tell them that if they want street meat, it’s readily available. This is not street meat, it’s a culinary novelty (and a cheap one at that – certainly the cheapest way to have lunch made by Jamie Kennedy – via his 25 cent sauce offering). If you’re a foodie, you’ll love it. If you’re more of a steak and potatoes kinda person, feel free to steer clear. I, for one, found it delicious and delightful.
A few recent finds:
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Random noodle soup generator.
You know my allegiance to noodles. Second only to my loyalty to dumplings. You can pry carbohydrates away from my cold, dead hands.
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Awesome Mad Men illustrations.
Pretty up my alley, don’t you think?
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Everyday Minerals
A great sounding mineral makeup company. Vegan, enviromentally friendly, super inexpensive, safe for sensitive skin, tons of colours, cute packaging… Need I say more? Oh, ok then, there are free samples to be had (free! I know!). Go. Run. Get some.
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Shopsin’s General Store
An amazing sounding diner cooking hardcore American comfort foods – but always with a twist. There are over 900 menu items! This place sounds like priority number one for when we finally make it to NYC. The cookbook sounds amazing too.
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Moop bags
I’ve been looking for a cute bag for a long time, and I’ve finally narrowed it down to a Moop duffel in black. The bag is sturdy, has lots of pockets and is water resistant, the companies run by an awesome lady, and everything is environmentally friendly, handmade and designed from scratch. What can’t you find on Etsy?
the Sis on 