Easy D.I.Y.

...so easy...two dish towels stitched together...cut a piece from top to use as pocket on bottom half...stitch ribbon at neck and waist...done. Imagine doing this with all the cool, colorful dishtowels sold in Target...

Kitchen Inspiration...

I found this image on one of my favorite blogs, Design Sponge...it inspired me to go out and look for white subway tile for my little kitchen project...Well, I found it for just 16.00 bucks a case...a case will cover 10 sq.ft...more than enough to do my backsplash...YIPEE! Now if I could just decide on a paint color...

Love at first sight...

...I would enjoy sitting here with a margarita and my girlfriends...

Today is all about Inspiration...

Today's Musical Selection - Esperenza Spalding

...inspiration can come from anywhere...

Sweet...

I used to collect dolls...I have a box full of them in the bottom of the closet...I'm trying to decide what to do with them...I don't really want to see them all over the house or displayed as a group...I like the way this little lady is displayed...sitting all alone on a shelf with other favorite things...

Happy Monday....

I purchased a black sweater/scarf set similar to the photo on the right over the weekend from the GAP for just $24.00 bucks...It was a great bargain shopping weekend...went to IKEA to purchase a few accessories for my small kitchen face lift and couldn't find a thing...sigh...why does that always seem to happen, when you have the cash, you can't find anything you really like...I did buy some cool shoes for $5.00 bucks...will share pics later.

A girl can dream...

Be cool this weekend...don't let this happen to you

...looks like anything can happen after a wild friday night...It's going to be 85 degrees in the NYC this weekend...yippeeeeee.

Mini Marathon

...a few weeks ago Mini did a solo dance performance at NYU...I designed her funky t-shirt...Mini loves to dance and she looked so cute...

...original drawings going on sale...

...there seems to be some interest in purchasing my fashion sketches...I'll photograph the ones I can part with and put them up on the blog for sale next week...$20.00 each, 3 for $50.00...first come first served...thanks guys.

This is too cool and easy to keep to myself...

Painting & Decorating: How To Install Invisible Shelves

another one of my favorite things...shelves...

...just looking for a little inspiration

hum...nice idea.

Workspace Inspiration...

...the two desks look like easy D.I.Y. projects.

I could use a new desk...

...When I get focused...

...when things settle down and I can focus on my designs...I'll be pumping out very similar dresses for the spring...heart.

...just fun

Easy D.I.Y.

...I purchased the frame (stretchers...used by artist to stretch their canvas) from Michael's craft store...they come in different lengths...they cost around $10 bucks for all four pieces...they click together at the corners...lay the frame onto your fabric and staple...that easy...It was really too small for behind my bed...I eventually moved it into the hall...I heart it...and I can change the fabric according to my moods...

Last Night...

...O.K....so look dawg, as far as Mini and I are concerned American Idol can end this nonsense right now and sign this man, Adam Lambert to a contract...I had the same reaction as Paula while watching him sing, it just touched me...Mini said, "Paula and I need to get a life"...I told Mini, "Oh, my little butterfly, one day you will understand...just promise me that you will call mama when it happens"...lol.
I'm heading over to Itunes to download this song right now...thank you very much...

Look what I found...

...cleaning out a closet and came across more of my old design sketches...fun.

Thinking about...

I saw a very similar styled chair in the Salvation Army over the weekend and I didn't buy it...I can't stop thinking about it...I may have to go back and get it...some girls collect shoes, I collect chairs...I really have no place to put it...but I can't help it...I'll keep you posted...

Go Bold or Go Home

Pose...

...I luv this picture...I think it would be hard for anyone to look bad while posing like this...I may try it with Mini...

Feels like Sunday...

...clean, simple and stylish...can't go wrong

Luvin' it...

...especially the nightie hanging at the window...very sexy...

Today's Musical Inspiration...

...what a day...Mini is fine...but, yesterday was not easy...It's getting harder and harder...as Mini gets older and more understanding of her circumstances...what do you say when your child cries out, "why me?"...

We went to the mall after her treatment and Mini just wanted to go home...I played this song in the car and it cheered her up a bit...but, I'm sure she still thinking about what the future holds for her...sigh.

please excuse the random post...

lisa bonet.

my favorite food.

one day i'll have one.

peace and quiet.

I'm honored...

...the wonderful, critically acclaimed blog, Desire To Inspire has chosen Soul Pretty as a blog to read in their Easter Reading Guide...YEAH! So head over to their blog to learn about other new and exciting blogs. I did.

a lovely distraction...

More JCrew...luv

Mini...

...just want to thank everyone for their well wishes as Mini has been accepted into the school of her choice...YEAH! I'm working on being present and enjoying victories but there always seems to be another hurdle just waiting for us to jump...tomorrow Mini will have new procedure at the clinic which will remove 80% of her blood and replace it with 80% of donated blood...please keep the kind wishes coming...as I try to find an appropriate way to celebrate Mini's victory.

Look of the day...

JCrew...When I worked in Corporate America there was a JCrew store right downstairs from my office...I lived in the stuff...haven't thought much about it until Mrs. Obama started wearing it...So I took a second look and I like what I see...check it out.

I'll just park this here...so i can find it later...

I'm going to build a twin size bed for my terrace (if the weather ever breaks in NYC) and this is exactly what I want it to look like...

Sweet...

...it doesn't take much space to have your own sanctuary.

Romantic...

...I would not mind paying a few bills here.

I like...

I don't have any overhead lighting in my apartment...I think I'll pick up a couple of these wall lights on my next trip to IKEA...

Heart...

Cool...Inspiration

...i have to start sewing again.

Sweet...

Late Post...

Mini's having a sleepover tomorrow with one of her friends from school...so we have been running errands, food shopping and cleaning...I even moved the Wii into Mini's room (it was easier than I thought)...that explains the late post...

Livin' large in a small space...

I watch a lot of decorating programs where homeowners want to move because 2,500 sq. ft. is not big enough for their growing family...hello...

Balance is good...

luvin' it...

Inspiration...

...I like the finishes and details...get's me thinking...

Random...

I'm always on the look-out for old portraits...I really like these...

Easy D.I.Y.

...so your in the gift wrap section of Target when you see the most interesting wrapping paper...too good to waste on a gift that will just be ripped open and thrown away...why not glue it to the back of a bookcase or cover those plain magazine holders you have hanging around...adhere the paper to the shelf using spray glue which can be found in any craft store for around $5.00 bucks...Easy.

via Apartment Therapy

School Admissions...

...the admissions director from the school Mini would like to attend contacted her doctor today to ask if Mini can walk up and down 4 flights of stairs at least 3 times a day...UGH! Yes, and no...it depends on the day...but as a general rule, she will need more time to change classes than most students...Don't mind me, I'm just thinking out loud...Isn't this the cutest sweater...?

Spring break...

Mini started spring break yesterday and already has cabin fever...so, were off to walk around the mall...isn't this bed clever...?

just because it's pretty...

Look of the day...luv.

Inspiration...color, texture, finishes...get's the juices turning.

Imagine designing a room around this color scheme...could easily be glam, country or modern...the ideas are endless...maybe I'll go to polyvore later and work it.

Reality Check...

So you think your kitchen is little...check out this actual NYC kitchen...New York apartments are notorious for being tiny...but this takes the cake.

Is black the new black...?

Madonna and Child...

So, Madonna and daughter Lourdes are in Malawi trying to adopt another baby...not sure how I feel about that...again, I'm a live and let live type of person...I do admire Madonna as a woman...she has definitely, "designed a life that she loves"

...Let's talk about their fashion sense...luv it! The scarf is the latest fashion accessory ladies...you can update your wardrobe without buying a thing...break out last summers t-shirts, tie on a scarf and keep it movin'...

Here's a little tutorial to keep you looking fashionable...

p.s....check out Madonna's fanny pack. Since becoming a mom I have loved the fanny pack...and I hope Madonna can bring it back into fashion...I've got some ideas for designing a cool pack...stay tuned...Oh, and how can I leave this post without pointing out that Madonna is 50 years old...what!? Is 50 the new 20...?

On My Wish-list...

A little background on a design staple that seems to be very popular right now...The Bamileke stool is a tradition from Cameroon...a bench or seat made for kings. The stools are made of mango wood and feature a geometric rosette design fashioned after an earth spider--very prominent in Bamileke culture as the link between the living and the ancestors.

ohhh, could use sheers at the windows to add that finishing touch...

Imagine the Bamileke stool from the previous photo in this room...yummy.

Chair luv...

Yesterday was a good day...

parent teacher conference update...

I am so proud of my Mini...she is doing well in school, not just academically but she has become a wonderful role model and inspiration for not only the students but, the teachers too...they see Mini as having no limits...she will be able to do or become whatever she dreams...tears...

and to my surprise...I was asked by the guidance counselor if I would be interested in hosting a workshop on the benefits of separated parents working together for the good of their child...WHAT, me!? ...I mean, her dad and I do work well when it comes to Mini, ...but, I don't think the relationship that Mini's dad and I have would translate to the general public...it is not easy, I wouldn't even know where to begin...but it's something else to think about...

EYE CANDY

Tablescape Idea...

I heart the primative art pieces on this table...I wish I had an empty space for a tablescape like this...It would look so nice in my natural/white/summer livingroom...

Cupcake madness...

Give it a listen...

I woke up this morning thinking about this song...reminds me of my dad...he used to play it over and over when I was a kid...found it on youtube...I heart youtube...

Is it spring yet????

it's cold and rainy in the NYC today...I'm dreaming of this...

Parent Teachers Conference

...today is parent teachers conference at Mini's school...I'll be rocking something like this...minus the silver jeans...and my boots are not this high...whew! It's really all formality...Mini is a great student...and luv's school...at our last meeting her teacher said, this is her favorite class of her entire teaching career...mostly due to Mini...who comes to school everyday eager to learn and encourages the other kids in the class to do the same...tears...all the students at the school have their challenges but, Mini won't let them use it as an excuse...tears...giving myself a big pat on the back right now...oh, that feels good...smile.

Style meets function and falls in luv...