10.24.2011

DIY: Vintage Nightstands

Inspired by this photograph from Design Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney, who is also the founder of the Design Sponge blog, purchased two vintage file cabinets.

 Design Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney


I really enjoy playing with contrast and opposites when applied to styling whether that be in fashion or home decor. I was only able to purchase two cabinets so I was not able to duplicate the nightstands as they were featured in the book, which is good because I found the opportunity to improvise and create something a little different.

Inspiration Photo from Design Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney

Using a few pieces of wood, some plumbing parts, and some table legs I was able to make sturdy base table that would: 
a.create height suitable for nightstands
b. provide more open space visually (often a requirement for small spaces) 
c.allow use of these cool vintage finds without damaging them so that they might be used differently in the future.


Supplies Used To Build The Table Base:
-sandpaper
-wood measured and cut to specifications needed (Lowe's cut these for me for $.25 each)
-screws
-drill (There is something really liberating about using power tools might I add. I am beginning to understand why guys love them so much!)
-plumbing pipes & flanges or your choice of legs (I used Hairpin legs)

Steps:

1. Sand the rough edges of the wood down. Splinters can be uncomfortable and painful. Also, sanded wood just looks neater.







2. Use drill (The screw driver is an option here as well. I just don't have that type of time or upper body strength!) to screw in the hairpin legs or plumbing flange to the wood.










3. If you are working with the pipes and flanges you'll want to screw the pipes into the flanges and then screw  in the second set of flanges which act as the feet of the table. If you used the hairpin legs, just be sure they are screwed in tight before turning the board over and placing anything on top.







That's it! Of course, you can always stain or paint the wood to fit the color palette in your room. This is a simple, fast and budget friendly way to create a table surface for your space even if you don't have vintage cabinets. 









10.23.2011

Add a little Mustard in your Look

I Don't Want to Cut the Mustard!


Sonia Rykiel fitted dress
2.460 DKK - stylepaste.com

TopShop polyester shirt
$60 - topshop.com

Mustard cardigan
$36 - urban1972.com

Fitted blazer
£4.99 - dressrail.com

Zara blazer
$100 - zara.com

See by Chloe tapered pants
$376 - coggles.com

ASOS skinny jeans
$58 - asos.com

Cross body handbag
$60 - topshop.com

Necklace
£13 - evans.co.uk

Dorothy Perkins oval ring
£2 - dorothyperkins.com

Lala Berlin green scarve
$430 - stylebop.com

Viscose scarve
£45 - whistles.co.uk

10.09.2011

New Adventures

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. -Winston Churchill 



First, a big "Thank you" to all of you who have continued to check-in despite my...recent hiatus when it comes to blogging. Things have been a bit, shall I say "cray-cray" in my world as of late. My 9 to 5 (or '8 to late' as my girls and I like to call it) has gotten increasingly demanding and Grad School is in full butt-kicking mode. In addition, I've pulling my life together after a recent breakup and trying to reconnect to my creative roots. Needless to say, with so much going my blog was one of the things that fell through the cracks. 

That being said, if anyone is still out there...waiting...reading (wishful thinking?)...the good news is I am still here. I still have a lot to say and share and I hope that you'll continue to ride with me.

One thing I'm very excited about is the blog redesign. I mentioned sometime last year that I was hoping to move my blog over to WordPress.com. Well, as you can see that didn't work out. I don't know what goes on with these techie folks designing platforms for the general public that require you to actually learn a new language before using them. Simplicity is often very under rated. So, I'm working with a developer for a new 'skin' for WhatLooksLikeCrazy.com to be used right here on user-friendly, Blogger!

A skin, for the non-techies out there is like a book cover for a blog. It is very similar to those reusable sticky things you can buy for your iPad or iPod. It'll give the blog a new look but Blogger.com will still be the host. Ok, enough of the technical stuff.

The new blog will be the same in that we'll chat and focus on things like Design, the folks behind some of your favorite brands, Food, and Travel. Speaking of which, I've been working on some Bespoke (I love this word. Sounds SO much better than home-made to me for some reason.)  items I've been creating for myself and others that I'm excited to share.

As anyone who's an adventurer or risk-taker (Indiana Jones being my favorite) knows, the ride is never what you expect. There are twists, turns and hurdles where you'd least expect them. The important things are to keep moving, stay focused and enjoy every minute of it!!










 

7.14.2011

5 Travel Tips You Need to Know

Now that the Summer season is in full swing, and by some accounts nearly over (hey, when you work in fashion/retail/design you're always at least 6 months ahead), I would like to share a few things I learned last weekend after a rather "adventure-filled" weekend trip to Indianapolis which included delayed flights. lost luggage, and comp nights in funky airport hotels.



1.Be Nice to Everyone: 
You'd be surprised the lengths that people will go to to help you out in a situation even if it is your fault that you arrived 40 minutes before your take off time and nearly miss your flight. Don't judge-anyone from the check-in agent to the TSA security guy could be the very person that can keep your dream getaway from turning into a hellish disaster.

2.Carry Socks In Your Carry On:
The airport floor is VERY dirty. I will leave the rest to your imagination.



3. Less Is More:
While I never understood those who opt to show up at the airport looking as if they've just rolled out of bed, I have come to accept that going hard core with heavy hard ware in the form of costume jewelry and belts will only slow you down for the security check. Pack these items in your carry on and glam up before you touch down!



4. Pack Light:
The best way to avoid issues with your luggage taking it's own summer getaway is to take it with you. Sure, it costs a few bucks more but if you arrive in "Sunny Insert Location Here" and your bathing suit and clean clothes are still "in transit" $25 will seem like a drop in the bucket!

5. Never Underestimate The Importance of a Healthy Immune System: Maybe it's the pressure of the cabin, or the fact that planes are the nearly equivalent to a flying subway car and "cleaned" about as well, or the combination of both, but whatever the reason germs and flights seem to go hand in hand. Have you ever gotten a scratchy throat or cold after a flight? Yep, that's them! Before flying boost up; strengthen your immune system with vitamins, minerals or Airborne.

5.21.2011

Love Looks Like

A pavilion designed for NYC submitted as my final project for one of my classes this semester. What do you think?

Concept:
The pavilion was inspired by the word "LOVE". Moreover, the analysis and examination of how we love and what we love in this country. The relationships of Human to Human, Human to Nature, Nature to Technology, Human to Technology and the balance or imbalance of those relationships were all inspiration for the design, structure, materials, and form of the pavilion.


The forms and shape of the building is inspired by the heart symbol, which is one of the most recognizable symbols of love around the world. This symbols is also expressed in the glass art wall that connects the Atrium to the Covered Hall. The digital symbol for love "<3" is employed to create a pattern that is also a symbol for the relationship we as people living in a digital age have for technology. A relationship that often throws the connection to nature off kilter. Further, evidence of examination of relationships can be seen in the use of construction materials in the two main areas of the pavilion; The Atrium and the Hall. The Atrium is made from clay bricks and is a open area that has seating and views of small gardens. The Hall, which is multi-purpose and can be used for cultural events, is constructed of glass and steel representing technology and industry. The connection of the is a symbol not only for the affinity and need we have for both but also for the balance that can be created with both. Love of one does not have to mean exclusion of the other.
The pavilion was designed to be sustainable and will be constructed to be semi-permanent. The building materials are all recyclable and elements of sustainable design were employed so that the structure does not become waste when it is no longer needed.


  -Sustainable Design Elements:
  •     Construction Materials-recycled or recyclable
  •      Clay walls act as heat masses and  assist with heating and cooling leading to a reduction of energy use. They are mold and fade resistant, provide moister control and are made in the United States.
  • VOC Free Paint used to paint walls in restrooms and other areas
  • Living Roof will provide cooling to the Lobby area, and help to deter the "heat island" phenomenon as it the building is designed for construction in New York City. The Living Roof will reduce energy use in the structure and become part of the natural ecosystem for indigenous birds, plants and insects.
  • Solar Panels added to the roof to provide energy for the electricity
  • An underground Storm Leaching system will be installed to collect and store rain water from the structure which will be used in the "low flush" toilets and "no water" urinals in the restrooms.
  • A solar thermal water heating system will be installed to reduce water usage and heat water as needed.

5.06.2011

Love IN the NOW: Slouchy Shirts

The slouchy shirt trend is All me this Summer. It's comfy, chic, casual and easily upgraded to sexy. Easy mixes for "Hi-Lo" fashion looks, which I am all about. Really, even if I could do I really want to spend $400 bucks on a top? Yea...no. Check out the look and let me know what you think.

What items will make up you Spring/Summer 'go to' look?


SLOUCHY SHIRTS


Oversized top
50 EUR - modekungen.se

Supertrash gold skirt
50 EUR - welikefashion.com

Burberry handbag
$1,395 - net-a-porter.com

A B S chain jewelry
$125 - maxandchloe.com

BKE buckle bracelet
$12 - buckle.com

A Day In Pictures: LUSH Cosmetics


This week I met up with my girl Nae from www.tastetocook.com to do check out Lush Cosmetics in Herald Square.

Known worldwide for their "fresh handmade cosmetics" (their handmade soaps come in blocks like cheese and they slice and wrap for you deli style) Lush creates ethically sourced, vegan soaps and body condiments and fragrances that social and environmentally conscious consumers can feel good about, according to the website.  The products are not tested on animals and are paraben free.
I worked with Melissa, who was very knowledgeable about the products, and their benefits. I gave her the run down on my issues with sensitive skin, eczema, etc. And she walked me through the product line. I know that you may be thinking, "Vegan, organic soaps and body products? That's a little too granola crunch, dirty back pack for me." Personally, I was wondering if the products could actually make a person feel clean, which is my main concern. Melissa explained that while the products are organic some of the body soaps and cleansers do contain Sulfates-chemicals that create lather and bubbles in shampoos, body washes, soap and toothpaste.

Sidebar: Sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, are known for lather and emulsifying qualities and can also strip the skin and hair of natural oils and can be toxic.


Needless to say, I am not fully convinced of that the "vegan" tag the company boasts about can honestly be applied to the entire product line. On the other hand,I do feel good about my purchase. i honestly believe that consumer power is true power and that we as concumers can send strong, clear messages to companies, and the society at large about what matters to us by simply making conscious decisions about where to spend our dollars. While I am definitely not the driver, or even in the first car on the 'eco-conscious, vegan, go green' train, but the more I learn, the more I understand the importance of things like: what I put into and onto my body; the values of the companies whose products I buy, and the energy I chose to surround myself with.



100 bucks later, I'm glad I got a chance to learn about Lush! Did I mention their soaps and cleansers smell phenomenal?! So far I am happy with my purchases. No skin irratation thus far, and honestly my skin seems to have a little glow!

Your turn! What's your feeling on organic products? Do you think all brands are made the same and the 'organic' is just a label companies use to raise prices? Have you done your own research on ingredients and decided to eliminate certain ingredients from your product purchases based on research and experience?