Friday Finds

I wanted to start rounding up all of the inspirations and finds that I pinned, tweeted about, and lusted after over the previous week.  My goal is to have Forge serve as a little window into my process, inspirations, and thoughts and this is a way in without having to constantly check in with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and whatever new social media will pop up at any moment!

The most recent progress on the new studio!

Martha McQuade Lookbook S/S 2013

Alyson Fox’s collaboration with & Other Stories via Design Crush

Building Block Bucket Bag

Paula Greif ceramics

Rope Shelving

Strawberry Summer Cake

Jim Lambie vinyl tape installation

Nate Berkus Topanga Beach Towel

Ann Yee for Of a Kind

Favorite Read – Lonny

If you already know about Lonny, then you already know and if you don’t, then you should!  I very rarely get a chance to sit down with a magazine and read cover to cover, and rarely even have time to just flip through it.  I am working on carving out my Sunday mornings for such leisures,  but its still a work in progress.  With that said, sometimes its a little easier when the magazine magically appears in your inbox once a month, and its even better when it is filled with beautiful images, inspiring stories, and inspiration galore.  Lonny is that magazine for me!

Lonny is primarily a home decor magazine, but seems like so much more.  Their shopping finds are always beautiful and inspiring, I love the short stories perfect for skimming, and their more in depth pieces focusing on inspiring individuals really show a glimpse into their lives from home, to work, to play.  Below are a few snapshots from their current June issue {which is over 200 pages}!  Check it out here and maybe you too should subscribe and have it magically appear in your inbox too!

Always covet worthy pieces in the finds section!

The interior shot of designer Ariana Dutzi’s 16th c house in Valladolid Mexico

Casual food inspiration from Andrew & Mark’s Brooklyn wedding

Honemooner’s profile on Santorini Greece

 

Danielle Wright {Designer}

I was gooing over MissMoss today and pinning like crazy, when I became intrigued by the jewelry of designer Danielle Wright.  With a little more investigation I realized that Danielle is also one half of another designer favorite, Falconwright.  I found Flaconwright’s clutches a while back and fell in love with their whimsical patterns and colors.   Both Danielle’s jewelry and the Falconwright clutches are the types of simple design that become your everyday favorites.  My favorite necklaces from the collection are also whimsical and a little playful just like the clutches.   And the best part, everything is under $100!  Shop Danielle Wright here and Falconwright here.

images via Danielle Wright and Falconwright

Handmade Roundup {Renegade Craft Fair Austin }

At this years Renegade Craft Fair in Austin I had a little help from Katie and Maggie, which allowed me to finally take time to check out the show, meet new makers, and grow budding friendships.  I found so many great new artists and I wanted to share my favorites from Austin and beyond.  All of these designers have websites, allowing you to snag handmade goodies any time.  I hope you were able to discover someone new!

Linoleum prints by artist and musician Dana Falconberry

Super sweet graphic onesies from eleventy-five

The cutest Kitties from Amanda Michael Design

Linen tea towels and canvas totes by Nell & Mary

Custom portaits by Emmiebean

 

Organic soap and cutting board seasoning sticks {which came home w me} by Old Factory Soap Co. 

The cutest DIY felted animal kits from purl & loop

Beautiful textiles and prints by Satchel & Sage Geometric jewelry by Sloan + Tommy

For those special occasions, tees from Little Gents in Training

Colorful servingwear from Ceramica Botanica

Matchstick Bottle {DIY}

I am in love with the reclaimed apothecary matchstick bottle that I picked up at Spartan a while back.  The idea of having matches on hand but artfully displayed was brilliant.  You could keep them on a shelf to light candles, or on the counter top to light the stove, and lets be honest here, they are the perfect fit for the bathroom!  These little bottles pop one match out of the spout at a time, and have a strike pad on the bottom.  I realized that recreating this simple and beautiful piece would be an extremely easy DIY!

As a result of the shipping cost for the bottles, this is a great DIY for making multiples.  I am imagining these as wedding or shower favors, or stocking stuffers for all of your friends with a cute tag and a little note.   Below is the materials list, links, and process.  Happy crafting!

Materials

• 4 oz Boston Round Glass Bottle, Specialty Bottle Supply, $0.74/ea
• Craft Sand, Hobby Lobby, $2.49
• Superglue (any will do)
• Diamond Strike Anywhere Matchsticks, Ebay, $1.85

To create the strike pad, checkerboard the bottom of the bottle with superglue and cover with sad.  Use a fine tip applicator {unlike me} to get a more delicate pattern, and try and stay within the indention on the bottom and don’t go all the way to the edges.  This will keep the bottom part that touches your counter or shelf from scratching the surface.  Next, fill with long  strike anywhere matchsticks.  One box will fill three bottles.

Finally, tie on a little note and you are done!  Brilliant!

 

Not Your Parents Vinyl

The studio design & build is coming along!  They marked out the foundation yesterday and are unloading the lumber as we speak!  I’m now finalizing the details for the interior, and specifically picking out the flooring.  I was surprised when my builder suggested I look at vinyl flooring.  He recently used it on a job and was surprised at how great it all turned out.

So, I found myself at The Home Depot checking it out and going crazy with all of the options!  Not only are there around 20 different color variations, but some are quite textured on the surface, really giving the planks the look of real wood (ish).  And bonus, they are super resilient and water resistant which is perfect for the studio environment.  I have gathered some images of vinyl plank flooring below to give you an idea of all you can do with it!  And if you are interested, I officially choose Barnwood and placed my order this morning!

A Raw Brownie Changed My Life!

Ok, maybe that is a little dramatic!  However, if I can win over my man, the staunchest of sweetaholic traditionalists {more butter + more cream + more sugar = good}, then this recipe really might have changed my life.  My former employee, Jen, turned me on to the blog My New Roots, and that is where the Raw Brownie was born.  Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Nutritional Practitioner Sarah Britton started My New Roots to share the knowledge she had received through her education in Holistic Nutrition.  Simply put, Sarah has an immense amount of knowledge about food and nutrition and put this platform together to educate and inform all of us!

And now on to the brownie!  These brownies have 5 simple ingredients that all pack a punch, and thankfully they are also simple to make!  The brownies include:

Medjool Dates – our sugar substitute, are a good source of fiber and also contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

Cacao {not Cocoa} – a superfood that is one of the best sources of magnesium found in nature, in addition to containing high amounts calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur, and potassium. Cacao contains many chemicals that enhance physical and mental well-being, including alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic acid, lipase, lysine, and some neurotransmitters such as dopamine and anandamide

Walnuts – high in Omega-3s which reduce cholesterol, lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, boost the immune system, control viral infections, improve brain function, and relieve symptoms of inflammatory condition such as arthritis.

Almonds – High in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, almonds also are a very good source of healthy, monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. Almonds also contain two important trace minerals, manganese and copper – essential co-factors of a key oxidative enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals!

The recipe is below and there is a ton more information on My New Roots about each of these ingredients along with loads of other interesting recipes.  Be warned, you might end up in the rabbit hole!  Enjoy!

The Raw Brownie
Ingredients:
2 cups whole walnuts
2 ½ cups Medjool dates, pitted (buy more than you think you will need, I always get too few!)
1 cup raw cacao
1 cup raw unsalted almonds, roughly chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt

Directions:
1. Place walnuts in food processor and blend on high until the nuts are finely ground.
2. Add the cacao and salt. Pulse to combine.
3. Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while it is running. What you should end up with is a mix that appears rather like cake crumbs, but that when pressed, will easily stick together (if the mixture does not hold together well, add more dates).
4. In a large bowl (or the pan you plan on putting the brownies in), combine the walnut-cacao mix with the chopped almonds. Press into a lined cake pan or mold. Place in freezer or fridge until ready to serve (it is also easier to cut these when they are very cold). Store in an airtight container.