R is for Ribbons
Today’s More to Love: A to Z post is brought to you by the letter R.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about embellishments – especially ruffles, ruching, and ribbons.
I know I am not the only one with a big jar full of ribbons. However, I have a confession to make: my jar of ribbons overflowed. Somehow it turned into a giant basket of ribbons. (Observe photo below.)
Oops. A lot of these ribbons came off of packages or from craft stores. (Some of the best ribbons seem to be in the scrapbook section, but they are parceled out in the tiniest of increments!) However, here are a few of my favorite ribbon suppliers for any other addicts out there:
- MJ Trim (that’s where the green floral ribbon in the top photo came from)
- May Arts – (wholesale only, but they have the most amazing collection – I’m on the hunt for a good stockist)
- Liberty of London – (sigh, if only their online selection was as extensive as the variety they have in their London shop – this is the perfect place to get lost for the afternoon… and where I picked up the purple and teal ribbons below)
One of my friends swears by the Fabric Barn in Long Beach as the ultimate ribbon spot although I haven’t made the pilgimmage yet. Any other ribbon places you love?
P.S. – R is also for Rebecca (my sister who abandoned me and went on vacation – hope you’re having fun).
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Inspiration.
Tagged with A to Z, haberdashery, Liberty of London, MJ Trim, ribbon.
By Kelly
February 8, 2010
I am trying to become better friends with breakfast.
There is breakfast during the week. Well, for some people, there is. I’m not sure that eating waffles at lunchtime counts. Maybe it does if you are still in your pajamas. I seriously think this is the closest I get.
Then, there is the breakfast of the weekends. This is the romantic side of breakfast that eludes me just as much. I have visions of getting up early and making something fabulous and arranging it on a beautiful tray with fresh squeezed orange juice and flowers. I’ve even tried to do this a few times. However, while I can cook dinner and bake with the best of them, I lack the golden breakfast touch.
Blah eggs. Burned pancakes. Or recipes that sound wonderful on paper but taste surprisingly like paper too. My husband has given up and is quite dutiful about bringing breakfast in on the weekends. (Donuts. There, I said it.)
However, I’ve decided to keep trying. I think it would be the fair and healthy thing to do.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to try making some granola. Homemade cereal and some fresh fruit sounded like a pretty healthy start to me. I used this granola recipe (minus the dried fruit and seeds). I definitely plan to make some tweaks. The maple syrup I had on hand was the good stuff (from Quebec, no less) – and I think the flavor was a little too subtle for the cereal. (Truth be told, my husband claims the cereal tasted “like trees.” I thought it was good, but I guess to each his own.) Next time I plan to add in a little bit of brown sugar and some toasted coconut. However, I have to say that the house smelled SO, SO good. It had really never occurred to me to make homemade cereal before, but if someone had told me the house would smell like that – I would have tried this a long time ago. The smell was so good that I don’t mind needing to experiment a little bit more to get the recipe just right (and maybe less “tree” tasting).
If you have any suggestions – let me know. I’ll report back on round 2.
More letters of the alphabet next week. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Filed under In the Kitchen.
By Kelly
February 5, 2010
Q is for Quebec
A few weeks ago, I promised that we would revisit Quebec City when we reached the letter Q in More to Love: A to Z. (Perhaps you remember these incredible pictures from the Ice Hotel.)
I know that my view of the city is colored by the wonderful hosts and travel companions I had when visiting Quebec City. However, the personality of the city is infectious. I think it charms just about everyone.
I was always there on business, so I feel like I’ve only seen the very tip of the iceberg. I hear they have wonderful festivals and summer time activities too, so I definitely have plenty of reasons to go back.
The beautiful hotel, le Chateau Frontenac, dominates the sky line above the Quartier Petit Champlain like a fairytale castle. You can ride the funicular (or take the Breakneck Stairs below) down to the Rue du Petit-Champlain for shopping and restaurants.
Just around the corner from the hotel is one of my favorite stores – La Boutique de Noel.
They are a year-round Christmas shop with the most spectacular window displays.
The store has a wonderfully warm ambiance and more Christmas ornaments than you can imagine. I picked up a few souvenirs, and I love pulling them out each year for the holidays. They remind me of my travels.
Other places you shouldn’t miss:
Filed under Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
By Kelly
February 4, 2010
Petals, paper, plums and purples, periwinkle, princesses, peaches, pears… there are so many places my mind takes me when pondering the letter “p.” Here are a just a handful.
P is for Pens (and a few tubes of paint for good measure)
I love the happy cupcake on the 3-D Ink pen package. A nice stack of fancy pens feels like such an indulgence to me — especially glittery pens that don’t get used very often. However, sometimes, they are just what you need for the perfect note or project. These pens make me feel very well prepared.
P is for Peacocks
Every time they move, their colors shift just a little bit. These peacocks are from the L.A. Arboretum, and I cannot help taking their pictures each time we visit. I have dozens of peacock photos (more than I know what to do with) – some on benches, in trees, sleeping, you name it. However, the light catches their feathers in a different way, and there I am, quietly trying to photograph their magic.
P is for Pumpkins
I wish pumpkins were around all year. I just love seeing them all lined up like that. Pumpkins, why do we have to wait until next fall? It’s too long.
P is for Pine Cones
My dad brought me these pine cones. (At my request. He didn’t just show up with the pine cones unannounced, although that would have been interesting. Anyway, thanks Dad. I am still taking good care of them.) The more I look at these pine cones, the more I think they look like pineapples. It’s amazing how shapes repeat in nature like that.
See you later! I have Q all Queue’d up for tomorrow…
Filed under Inspiration.
By Kelly
February 3, 2010
Organization! Feeling organized is my best route to inspiration. Since I’m in search of more of that this week (both the organization and the inspiration), I will jump right into the eye candy today for Day 15 of More to Love: A to Z.
O is for Oceans
It almost looks like I flew to Antarctica to take this picture for you. It’s not true, though. This is from Sea World. (Shhh…)
My sister once patted this beluga whale on the head. (I am not making this up.) She said his head feels like jell-o. (He also lives at Sea World.)
I think it’s so interesting how shapes repeat in nature. Doesn’t that little eel-creature look sort of like a giraffe? This eel lives in Epcot outside of the Nemo ride. The oceans are all around us!
O is for Orchids
(Photo of the yellow orchid is taken by my husband. Just so you don’t think I’m trying to steal his glory.)
So delicate and sturdy all at the same time. (Sigh…)
Filed under Inspiration.
By Kelly
February 2, 2010
