Flamin-GO!

Will someone please buy 100 of these and put them in my front yard tonight?!

Ready...Set...FlaminGO!

To have and to BHLDN

The new beach collection on BHLDN is absolutely beautiful! Makes me wish I was on the beach soaking up the warm sun... not dodging the unbearable sun of the asphalt covered city. These pictures look so relaxing and breezy... 

When browsing through the images on this incredible site I started thinking about how alot of their products would translate into home decor, especially for beach homes. I mean, who says if you live on water you have to decorate with conch shell lamps, coral and fish netting? Why can't you make it relaxing and breezy, while keeping with the beachy theme? I just never understood why so many beach rentals insist on using the gaudiest things they can find. I think from now on I will print these pictures out and leave them behind at every vacation rental I stay in.

Pouf!

Who doesn't love a good Pouf?! 

Today, I have put together a few of my favorites. I think poufs are great and so versatile. They can be used as seating, side tables, storage, a foot rest or just to look pretty and add a little color to an otherwise boring corner.

You can go brightly colored with your pouf....

Sources: lacasadecoto, Serena & Lily, Urban Outfitters

Or you can go shabby and conservative...

Sources: Urban Outfitters, Serena & Lily

Either way, they add interest and functionality to any room.

 

Tea Towel Tuesday: Proper Skillet Care

Ever wonder about the proper way to season and clean a skillet? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some cast iron aficionados say you should never clean cast iron skillets at all, just wipe them out after each use. Others suggest washing with mild soap and water, and then re-seasoning.  A third approach is to scrub with a mild abrasive, like coarse salt, and a nonmetal brush or clean rag. 

To avoid smudges on all your kitchen towels, Real Simple suggests designating one towel to use exclusively for drying your cast-iron skillet. May we suggest the towel shown above from House 8810. I know you're thinking, "but it's too cute to get dirty"...think of it as adding character. You're skillet will thank you and so will your delicious dishes! 

Did you know cooking in a cast iron skillet also has health benefits? It's made from iron, so cooking in it causes the food to absorb the iron. If you have an iron deficiency you could benefit from this. However, if you have excess iron health issues, it is not recommended that you use iron skillets. 

Sources:

House 8810

Real Simple

Wikipedia

I don't know much, but I know I love it...

...and that may be all I need to know, since you can purchase so many beautiful needle work kits these days! (I also know you love the Aaron Neville reference)

I've always loved the look of needlework.  Needle point, embroidery, crewel, cross-stitch, I love them all. I'm just not very good at it! I've attempted it on some things I've made and pretended I knew what I was doing but I really have no idea. So, today, I present to you super awesome needle work kits and inspiration that I've found lately. Starting with the amazing Charley Harper, of course! Who wouldn't love a Charley Harper needlepoint? You can find these at Purl Soho.

Purl Soho also has this adorable Mushroom Crewel Embroidery Kit.



I found this lovely cross-stitch pattern on Etsy. This shop is A-dorable!



Here's a precious Baby Treasures Bib Kit from House 8810. It comes with everything you need to embroider three bibs. It even comes with the gift cards! It's perfect for baby shower gifts!



And then there's Kimberly Scola from chez-sucre-chez with her beautiful handi-work. I LOVE her pieces with The Smith's lyrics. Does reading their lyrics give anyone else the same chills it gives me! Oh, how I love you Morrissey!



wait...did this post just go from Aaron Neville to The Smiths? I thought it was about needle work? Is there a joke in there? Aaron Neville and Morrissey walk into a craft store...lol I better go! I hope this post was at least a little inspiring. Now, I must go purchase a cross-stitch kit and turn my Ipod to "random". It's time to get crafty!

That BLOWS.....LITERALLY

These new hankies are KILLING US!  That Blows hankies are a collection of items that totally and completely BLOW!  It features a bad report card, an actual war-time Dear John letter, a parking citation, a pink slip, and an insufficient funds statement. I mean why blow your nose on something pretty and nice, what did it ever do to you??  Blow it on something that really BLOWS!!  All hankies come packaged in an awesome manila envelope!  This would be a great gift to make someones day that might have just gone through one of these awful experiences!  Laughter really is the best kind of medicine!

Inspiration India

West Elm

It seems to me that India has been the source of inspiration these days for fashion as well as home decor. Have you seen the new West Elm catalog or surfed Anthropologie lately?

Anthropologie

It's all beautifully done and one technique I've noticed that I've always wanted to try myself is block printing, where artists hand carve pieces of wood to create a design. Ink is then applied to the block and "stamped" on to the fabric. I would never attempt to carve the block but thought about purchasing several wooden blocks and given it a whirl. This is a beautiful video from West Elm about how the India Block Printing process works. It's truly incredible!

You can find vintage woodblocks at local flea markets, antique shops and of course, Etsy. If you search something along the lines of "textile printing block" or "woodblock" under the "Supplies" category on Etsy you will find tons of cool ones.

Source:
Top
Bottom Left
Bottom Right

Here is a great tutorial on how you can make your own fabric, towels, pillows, etc. from Red Door Home.

Happy Printing!

Alison

Haute MAMA!

Summer and our new aprons have a little something in common....they are both HAUTE, HAUTE, HAUTE (so HAUTE we had to spell it the fancy way)!!  You only thought June Clever could look that good cooking....NO MAM, now you can too!  Move over JUNE, there's a new Mama Sheriff in town and she's HAUTE to TROT!

Now get out your pearls, and either start cooking, or start calling the caterer, either way, wear this apron and wow your guests with your hosting abilities and your complete and utter Haute-ness!

Tea Towel Tuesday

It's HOT outside...so how about a refreshing drink recipe from Martha Stewart to help beat the heat! Serve it with the Berry Delight tea towels from House 8810 and have yourself an adorable AND refreshing afternoon.

Ingredients

• 2 lemons, quartered
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 medium seedless watermelon (about 9 pounds), rind removed, flesh cut into chunks
• 1 cup vodka (optional)

Directions

1. Squeeze lemons into a large pitcher; add squeezed lemon quarters. Add mint and sugar; mash with a wooden spoon until mint is bruised and sugar is dissolved.
2. In a blender, puree watermelon in batches until smooth; pour through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher (you should have about 8 cups of juice). Stir to combine. (Refrigerate, covered, up to 3 days.) Add vodka, if using; serve over ice.

Cause Breaking Up is Hard to Do.....

Breaking up is NO FUN for anyone.  However, sometimes it is a happy occasion for the people in your life, who may not say, "I told you so" but who are definitely thinking it!  Despite whether it was a good or bad match for you, you may need some time on the couch, in your comfiest of comfies, watching Bridget Jones and every season of Sex in the City, with a tub of ice cream, while bawling your eyes out and thinking that no one is ever going to love you again.  Pity parties are a necessity for every official break-up, but if they go on too long they can get down-right annoying.

If you happen to find yourself, or a friend of yours in a situation like this, you need to lighten the mood and help them get over those break up blues with our DIY Therapy Book, and our Emotionally Unstable Towel.  Let them get some much needed therapy on the cheap, and with some silly laughs, to make them realize that life does go on even if their significant other doesn't!

 

Let the Sun Shine In....

If you are like me, then you LOVE Modern Family (and we aren't the only ones, can you believe all 6 main characters were nominated for an Emmy!!).  Do you remember Luke's jar of sunshine?  Well, now you can have one of your very own!  

Let the sun shine in....even at night with our new Sun Jar.  We love this little fella!  It's made with a traditional mason jar so it looks cute and retro sitting out and collecting all of that sun by day; and also looks absolutely precious shining bright at night!

Technically speaking, the Sun Jar has a solar cell that creates an electrical current and charges the battery inside.  This energy is then used at night to power the LED lamp inside the jar.  We love it, and we think it would make a great gift too...who doesn't like giving and receiving a little jar of sunshine!!





Giveaway: Living the Swell Life

Click on over to Living the Swell Life and enter the House 8810 giveaway! Hurry, giveaway ends Friday. Good Luck!

See The Crafting Chicks Craft Challenge LIVE!

Watch Kirsten and the House 8810 tablecloth projects on Studio 5!

The Crafting Chicks

Little Grill Masters

Having a summer BBQ? Don't let Dad have all the fun! Let the kiddos pretend to be grill masters with the KidsKettle found on House 8810. This adorable play grill comes with a detachable "grill plate" and drip pan...yes, it even has a drip pan! So, let the kids have some fun while "grilling" next to Dad. After all, with the KidsKettle you're guaranteed that nothing you are served will be burnt!

Here are a few great handmade food sets found on Etsy at Felt Playground that would go perfectly with your new grill!

Guest Blogger- THE NOW Stylebook

Going for the Gold

Hi friends!  It’s Annie from THE NOW Stylebook.  I’m thrilled to be guest-blogging on House 8810… my favorite stop for fun and whimsical finds. 

For those of you who have stopped by THE NOW before, you’re well aware that I have an obsession for all things glam.   Whether it’s my for living room or my wardrobe, I’m always looking for new ways to introduce a new element of glamour. 

So what’s my latest  “gotta have it, can’t live without it” find?  Gold flatware.  And let me just tell you, I am SO in love with it, that I’m using it in my upcoming wedding.   There’s just something so fabulously unexpected about it that appeals to me.  Here are some gorgeous examples that inspired me to go for the gold.   

Of course, I do believe one has to be careful when using gold (of any sort) in design.  One wrong turn and your tablescape will look like it’s from the set of a bad 80s soap opera.   BUT – when displayed with the right corresponding colors, gold flatware will most certainly give off a fabulous warm glow.

Get the look here…

     1.)  Oneida

     2.)  Mepra

     3.)  Royal Crest 

     4.)  Walker 

     5.)  Anthropologie 

     6.)  Carleton Varney 

Thanks to House 8810 for having me, and I hope you’ll come visit me at THE NOW! 

xoxo Annie

Party Idea - Construction

Here at House 8810 we've put together some fun things that would make a great Construction Party for a little (or big) boys birthday. 

The Pizza Boss 3000 and the Table Saw are great for cutting the perfect slice. 

The white and yellow Carpenter's Folding rulers make great party favors at a great price!

Decorate with the Gray Paper Straws and drive into those cheese cubes with the Nail Party Picks.

 Give the little guy a boost on his big day with this booster seat. Because the best carpenter isn't in the Yellow Pages anyway, he's busy partying.