Monday, July 16, 2012

Artist of the Week: Picasso to Warhol Series Intro



Back in March, while visiting the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, I took in the amazing Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters exhibit. It was a great crash course on modern art and some of its key influencers. I've decided to showcase each of the featured artists and their work here on epitome over the next few weeks. We'll start next week with some of the later works of Pablo Picasso.



Current Craving: Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

A few weeks back, as I was trolling the aisles of Costco I noticed that the Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream and Sorbet maker was in stock and on sale. After thinking about all of the cool summer treats I could make, I couldn't leave the store without it. I made my first batch of ice cream last week and it was super delicious! I have an appreciation for unique flavors in frozen treats, but for me, nothing beats a great basic vanilla, strawberry or chocolate. Have any of you made homemade ice cream or frozen yogurt? If so, what are your favorite recipes?

 

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy July 4th!



Hope everyone had a fantastic Independence Day! I wanted to give you a sneak peak at the display that will appear in my next Tablescape post. Americana all the way!


Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer Style: My Go-To Ensemble




When shopping for Spring and Summer this year, I tended to gravitate to three main colors: Coral,   Cobalt and what I like to call Spring Green. I was lucky to find one piece that brought these all together -- my multi-striped French Connection dress (2). Paired with coral Sam Edelman heels (1) and the my greenhouse Cole Haan satchel (3), this ensemble evokes a sexy yet cool summer vibe.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Weekend Wander: The Market at Riverview Landing


As I was reading through a Daily Candy weekend email recently, I came a cross an outdoor market event that was happening near the Chattahoochee River. So that Saturday, my hubby, our puppy and I wandered over to The Market at Riverview Landing. This parcel of land, currently under redevelopment, provided beautiful vistas of the river and a multi-acre dog park. We enjoyed the sounds of a local Americana band and the sights of a high-flying dog agility competition.The Market occurs every weekend through the summer with farm fresh fare, homestyle baked goods, food trucks, and all types of local vendors. Definitely worth checking out!  

1. The Market sign from the road.
2. Caution signs warn revelers as they move closer to the Chattahooche river bluff.
3. Colorful coleus were among the plentiful plants being sold at the market that day.
4. My hubby and our puppy enjoying a stroll through the dog pasture.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Series: Tablescapes




I'm super excited to announce a new feature for my blog -- the Tablescape series. Each month I'll showcase a new tablescape that I've created for events. This month's edition is inspired by summery citrus hues. I started with the striped fabric runner as my inspiration. Next, I layered in mixed bouquets of roses, ranunculus and flowering branches. The green bee plates are from Anthropologie. I saw them during a store visit a few last year and couldn't leave with out them! The chalkboard menus adds another layer of whimsy. And, the Galaxy macaroons from Gilt Taste were the perfect final touch.  Enjoy!

P.S. I couldn't resist using the glitter letter technique I recently learned in my Blogging Your Way 2.0 class. Many thanks to Katrina Tran of PuglyPixel for the great tips!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Artist of the Week: KAWS



If your are even tangentally connected to pop culture and music, I am sure you have seen his work. KAWS aka Brian Donnelly is a Brooklyn-based artist and product designer. He got his start in the 1980s as a grafitti artist, but has gone on to produce world renowned, vivid acrylic paintings and stately sculptures that showcase his interpretation of cultural icons such as the Michelin Man, Mickey Mouse and The Simpsons. KAWS also designed the album artwork for Kanye West's 808s and Heartbreak. I had the pleasure of viewing his DOWN TIME installation at the High Museum during a recent visit.  This post highlights some of my favorite pieces. To learn more about KAWS visit his site.













PHOTO CREDITS: THE GHOST




Thursday, May 31, 2012

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County made its debut
in Atlanta in April 2012.


Recently, an article ran on the Daily Beast about former American Idol contestants and life after the show. I haven't been an avid viewer for years and hadn't really kept up with goings on of contestants outside of the breakout stars of the show (i.e., Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, etc.). I was, however, already aware of one additional contestant's plight. Recently, I attended the play Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, touted more for the collaboration of literary and musical giants -- Stephen King, John Mellencamp and TBone Burnett, than the story itself or cast performances. Imagine my surprise when I opened up my program for the play to see Justin Guarini playing the role of one of the main characters. Musical theatre is definitely his calling. And, while the show has gotten a lukewarm response from most critics, I personally enjoyed to the music and many of the song performances.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Sneak Peek: Domino Quick Fixes

My husband and I loved this cover. It reminded us of our four-month-old Weimaraner puppy, London!

Like many of you, I mourned the loss of Domino magazine three years ago. And, when I caught wind of the revival I lit up with anticipation. This first special issue, Domino Quick Fixes, did not disappoint. Those hoping for a clone of the original Domino, may be a bit surprised to see that outside of the familiar masthead, the design approach is completely new. Even with the new design, the special edition stays true to what made Domino a beloved asset of inspiration -- great interior photography, attainable elegance and DIY tips. Some of my favorite features are highlighted in this post. If your loved Domino or simply love interior design pick this issue up immediately!



Monday, April 16, 2012

It is here! Domino Special Edition



Words cannot express how excited I am about the newest special edition issue of domino magazine. I scooped up the last copy available at my local bookstore yesterday. The features are great and I can't wait to share more with you.

My Herb Garden: Update



My herb garden has officially been planted! And I must admit, I'm pretty proud of myself. I decided to start with three of the herbs I use the most in everyday cooking -- thyme, sage and basil. I actually purchased the plants a few weeks ago from The Home Depot. They are doing pretty well so far outside on the patio. Any suggestions on additional herbs to try for first-time growers?

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!



Hope everyone has had a great holiday weekend with family and loved ones! Back to the grind tomorrow...

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Spring Is Sprouting


Azaleas are in full bloom. The magnolias are on the verge. Oak trees are lush with new foliage. I just can't get enough of Spring! My birthday was last Friday, and my AWESOME parents gifted me with a new Canon T2i DSLR camera. I absolutely LOVE it. See more of my Spring pics below!












Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Project Tutorial: Easter Tree




Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I'm a Spring baby, so Easter was always near and dear to my heart as it evoked wonderful birthday memories. For years I've collected little easter knick-knacks, but the one thing I've been missing is an Easter Tree. Inspired by beautiful mercury glass egg ornaments from Pottery Barn, I decided to make one for myself this year. See the full process below!


Supplies:
Basket
Foam
Grass
Egg picks
Egg ornaments
Floral wire
Floral Tape
Curly branches




1. Cut the tops of the branches and attach them to floral wire to make them pliable. Cover with floral tape.

2. Place the foam inside of the basket, and insert your tree form into the foam.


3. Add the grass to cover the foam and base of the tree, along with an assortment of egg picks and eggs.


4. Use floral wire to attach your ornaments.



Enjoy!

More Easter decor shots coming this week. How are you celebrating the holiday?

Monday, March 19, 2012

Pretty Petunias: Pre-Spring Planting

My Hanging Baskets: Petunias and Fuchsia

Spring officially starts tomorrow, but I couldn't wait! I spent this past weekend on a first for me: planting hanging baskets. I used petunias in my garden last year and really liked the blooms, so I decided to include them in my initial basket projects. While we were out picking up supplies, my husband helped a woman and her mother lift some oversized soil bags. She noticed the petunias and baskets in our cart and recommended another beautiful plant for hanging--Fuchsia. Its pinkish-red and purple flowers are something to behold. It is amazing how a few hanging baskets with beautiful blooms can brighten your home. I put a few baskets out on my front porch, and a couple on shepherds hooks in the backyard. I just love Spring!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Current Obsession: Herb Gardens


With Spring weather in full swing here in Atlanta, I'm hankering to start gardening. My pansies and tulips are still in bloom in the front yard, so my focus has turned to our clean slate of a backyard. First on my list of tasks to tackle is an herb garden. I use cilantro most frequently, but I'd also love to grow basil, dill, thyme and sage. I'm still in the process of deciding the best route to take -- one large planter vs. multiple pots vs. planting bed -- but below are a few items I've been drawn to while planning my new project:

Monday, January 30, 2012

Inspiration Board: Tangerine Tango

I've been loving and wearing this spiced orange color for years -- on sweaters, bags, nails. And recently, Pantone has vindicated my taste by making Tangerine Tango the color of the year for 2012. These are some of my favorite pieces in the energetic color. I'm really loving this hue paired with shades of blue. Are you planning to incorporate Tangerine Tango into your 2012 wardrobe?

  1. Chloe Eden Small Crossbody Bag, Nordstrom
  2. Jonathan Adler Mod Dot Four-Piece Setting
  3. Vince Caumuto Ladell Wedge, Nordstrom
  4. Crystal Petal Post Earring, Anthropologie
  5. Flowers by EmersonMerrick
  6. Pentanque Necklace, Anthropologie
  7. blanknyc skinny jeans, Madewell
  8. DL Rhein Zig Zag Orange Embroidered Linen Pillow, ZincDoor
  9. Something Else by Natalie Wood Dream Dress, Madewell

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Happy New Year! I'm back!

Almond Family Chrismtas: Two trees and lots of love!


It's a new year, and while I didn't accomplish everything I had set out to do in 2011, I must say I'm pretty pleased with my progress. 2011 was great for me in many ways -- filled with new beginnings and marked by a new spirit. The year also marked the closing of a few chapters -- I said goodbye to my great-grandmother after her rapid health decline. From Thanksgiving on, my life has been a cluster. But, I must say that I had the most joyful Christmas ever with my family. And, after that, I took the rest of my holiday to recoup from the tiring recent months. Feeling refreshed I started work on Tuesday, only to return home with a head cold. Ah, the irony. However, even with the head cold and my just-late Rudolph red nose, I'm more than excited to see what this new year brings. And, I can't wait to share the great inspiration I find.

Here's to a fantastic 2011!

Much Love,


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