Inspiration Daily: 06. 28. 10

Image credits: 1. E eu não soube responder., 2. untitled

Etsy Finds & Faves: 06. 25. 10

Hello and happy Friday everyone!  I have a mountain of tasks to accomplish this weekend so I'm heading off to work on those now.  It won't be all work though...If I'm lucky I just might be getting together with my 8 month old nephew: Solomon, sister and brother-in-law who are here visiting from out-of-state.  My nephew truly is the cutest baby (and I'm not much of a baby person).  Hopefully I'll be able to take some photos to share with you all next week.

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend.  xo Ez

A few pretty picks for your Friday/weekend enjoyment:

• Pixie's Summer Dress - Nadinoo
• Vintage Lavender Pillow - Trampoline
• Azulejos Lili Clutch - Bagatelles & co.
• Feathery Plumes No.10 Original Watercolor - Golly Bard
• Impressions of Paris Fine Art Photo Prints - Little Brown Pen

Real Review: Wonka Exceptionals Fruit Jellies

During a grocery shopping trip at SuperTarget yesterday I headed over to the candy isle with visions of chocolate candy bars dancing in my head.  That quickly changed when I spotted the new Wonka Exceptionals Fruit Jellies.I almost didn't pick them up because I am allergic to artificial dyes and thought that for sure these would include said dyes.  The grapefruit flavor twisted my arm (ouch) so I picked up the box and immediately discovered that they are made from natural flavors and contain no artificial dyes!  They are also created using  fruit pectin instead of gelatin (at least the two flavors that I looked at did)...score again!  The only thing stopping me from grabbing a box in each flavor was the 2.99 price tag.  I settled on the Grapefruit and Red Apple varieties (they come in Red Apple, Clementine, Grapefruit, White Grape and Goji Berry).

Fast forward a couple hours later and I finally had a chance to sample the jellies...but not before working my way through 3 layers of packaging (over-packaged products really irk me).  I understand the first box...and even the bag that the candies are sealed in, but what's with the box inside of a box.  Maybe I'm just not getting it.  Anyhow...once they were opened I was delighted by the true-to-life scent of both the grapefruit and apple flavors.  The actual taste itself was also very authentic.  Both of the flavors I tried were not overly sweetened and not too tart.  Just right.  The consistency is much softer than a traditional gummy (I guess that is why it's called a Jelly), but is also not terribly sticky or slimy.  Again I give it thumbs up on the texture and consistency.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised.  Grapefruit was my favorite, but they were both tasty.  Despite the price tag I can imagine that I'll be picking up a box of these again in the near future (these would also be perfect for taking to the movies).  If you sample these in the near future I'd love to hear what you think of them.  Currently it looks as though these candies are available at Target and Walmart stores (I wasn't able to find them for sale online).

Photos by me.  Stuffed bear by Mumka.  *As with all of my "Real Reviews" I have not received any compensation (monetary or otherwise) for my opinions.

Inspiration Daily: 06. 25. 10

Image credits: 1. Untitled, 2. GoodMorning SunShine!, 3. wedding decor, fabric flowers, vases, center pieces, 4. Blues

A Glimpse at My Studio + A Lovely Feature

Shortly after we moved into our new home this past Spring I received an email from Elle Decoration UK (so exciting).  They were hoping to have an image or two of my studio space to share in their magazine.  Of course I was thrilled to be considered for their publication, but having just moved in I was more than a tad overwhelmed by the sea of boxes filling my office.  I quickly set to work organizing my workspace, snapped some photos for their story, and then sent them on their way.

Little did I know that they were not mearly featuring an image of my workspace, but writing a wonderful article about Creature Comforts to go along with it.  Come May, a lot of you wrote to tell me about discovering the article (so sweet) and I really wanted to be able to share the news with all of you, but it took a long time for it to finally arrive in stores here (I'm sure the employees at our local Barnes & Noble must have thought I was a little nutty stopping by so regularly to check on its whereabouts).  In any event I've finally gotten my hands on a copy and I am so delighted by the kind words they have written.  It's a beautiful and inspiring magazine overall and I am so honored to see my wee blog in such a great publication.  Thanks Elle Decoration!

Since snapping these photos I've been aching to share my little office space with you all.  But because I didn't know which image(s) they might use for their story, I had to patiently wait.  Now I can finally show you what's going on here in this little room that I have made into my office/studio.

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I first wanted to add some color to the walls.  Our house is a rental so I nixed the idea of paint and decided to try a faux-wallpaper effect by hanging a long strip of wrapping paper (found at Hallmark a few years ago) from floor to ceiling using doubled-over scotch tape strips on the back (so far it hasn't come off).  I chose something with a bold graphic look (it seemed a good option for Spring).  But what I love about this little DIY more than anything else is that I can change it as often as I want with very little effort or cost.  Next time around I will be looking for wrapping paper that has a nice matte surface.  I don't prefer the shininess of my current selection.  I wouldn't say that it looks exactly like wallpaper, but the effect is similar and I like it.

After I hung my "wallpaper" I set up a little inspiration wire that spans the length of my desk.  I'm always coming across little snippets of inspiration that I want to have more time to look at, so with three tiny nails, some wire from the hardware store and some mini clothespins I was able to make a spot for all those random bits and bobbles. 

Organization is not my forte, so there are probably ways that I could go about arranging things differently.  But I'm okay with my current method which has more to do with creating a space that is filled with pretty things to spark my creative side, than having everything labeled, boxed, and stored away.  Thanks for letting me share my little space with you today.  xo Ez

A few product credits:

• "Because the Glass Really is Half Full" print by Sarah Gardner - This is something my Grandma said to me throughout my growing-up years.  Back then I always subtly rolled my eyes at her words of wisdom, but now I try every day to take them to heart.  This print is my little reminder.
• Japanese masking tape from Nothing Elegant - I have a hard time using my masking tape because I love it so much.  Does that happen to you with some of your crafting supplies too?
• Custom swan soft sculpture by Paulina of Lemmikkiapina - After purchasing several pieces from Paulina and falling in love, I asked if she might be able to make a swan for me.  What she created more than exceeded my expectations.  My swan is exquisitely hand-stitched, has a back made from vintage lace, wings that are stitched with pale aqua and silver threads, and tiny rock crystals and glass beads accenting each wing.  She is one of my most treasures possessions by far.
• Teeny Tiny House - Given to me as a housewarming gift by my lovely friend Marichelle.  Another treasure that I adore.
• Number Jar (used as a vase) - A gift from my friend Melissa.  I believe these jars come from Anthropologie, but I couldn't find them on their site any longer.
• Friends of Violet poster by Studio Violet

If you see other things that you'd like more info on, feel free to leave me a comment below.