When I lived in the snowy Midwest, I always kept a kitchen window herb garden during the Winter, and also grew alfalfa sprouts in a jar. Having something green in such a snowy part of the year kept my spirits up, and also added flavor to my cooking. Do you grow herbs or other edibles indoors in the Winter? Source
In my recent post on how to transform a small space, I showed you how shop owner Trey Russell repurposed oil and vinegar bottles to display and store body oils in his bathroom. I myself have done the same trick, using an oil bottle to hold dish soap at my kitchen sink. So, it's no news to me. Regardless of what they're used for, I couldn't help but swoon over Russell's double-walled oil and vinegar bottles. So, I did some detective work and found out where I can snatch up some of my own. To learn where, read more
The former New York State estate of Brooke Astor, a beloved American philanthropist and socialite who passed away last year, is on the market for a whopping $12.9 million, according to Real Estalker. The sprawling 1927 stone mansion, designed by architect William Adams Delano, measures in at 10,000 square feet, with 13 bedrooms and 9 full and two half bathrooms. The property description reads:
At the heart of this bucolic 64.60 acre haven, the 1927 stone manor designed by prominent architect William Delano embodies the quiet elegance of a classic English country house. There are 6 marble fireplace and 13 bedrooms, including staff quarters...Indoor and outdoor pools are featured along with extensive dependencies including a greenhouse, 4-bedroom gardener's cottage, carriage house and barn.
You can read about another historic Astor family home in my recent Before and After. To see more photos of Briarcliff Manor, read more
In my house, we hung an advent calendar each year, made of miniature gift bags filled with candy. I think it's a fun tradition for children that fosters their excitement for Christmas — as if they weren't already bursting at the seams. Although it's obviously a religious tradition, the countdown calendars can be used for all sorts of celebrations, like birthdays or even the election! That is, if the calendar itself isn't specifically Christmas-y in theme. For example, the Great Craft Disaster Advent Calendar ($45) is composed of 24 tiny fabric slippers, although Christmas fabrics in particular weren't used. Considering that I love anything mini, I can't get enough of this calendar! Each slipper has a numbered tag on it denoting the date, or the number of days left in the countdown. What do you think?
Browsing a fabric and coming upon a wildlife faux tapestry fabric, Poppytalk was enlightened with an idea that doesn't involve any sewing. I'm sold! By simply setting the tapestry fabric inside an embroidery hoop, she created three pieces of instant wall art, for the price of $16. In addition to the ease and affordability, I love the kitschy, lodge-y theme of this project. It really gets me excited to get outdoors this Winter! To see all three embroidery hoop pieces, read more
Max Mara
Whistles
Burberry