Category Archives: Wishing_True

Mondrian Cake

Anyone who reads my personal blog knows that I LOVE cake. So after reading this on Cry It Out, I decided that I may need to move to San Francisco.At least for the duration of Cake Walk at SFMOMA (Cry It Out writer feature here).

How cool is this?

image from Cry It Out

Chris and I just agreed that if we win the lottery we will be moving to San Francisco.

Smithsonian – I love you, but unless you step it up and start producing art inspired pastry, I may need to defect.

A is For Apple, Decidedly Black

I just came across this adorable little alphabet print by Emily of Inside a Black Apple.


And here is an image of what it would look like in a traditional frame. Even Adorabler!


I have always loved alphabet books, rhymes and pictures, and Emily’s whimsical little figures are just perfect for an alphabet sampler. I have to admit though, I’m not quite sure what L and Z are… Any ideas?*It’s no secret that I like pretty things, dolls, and all things girly – so of course my favorite alphabet rhyming book of all time is A is for Annabelle by Tasha Tudor. I was even able to find a few images online:


But I’m also drawn to quirky, pithy and sometimes rather dark humor. So another favorite dactylic (yes, I had to look that up) pentameter rendition is The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gory.


This one is not for the weak of heart. I generally fall into that category, but there is enough irony and, well…cuteness involved that I can’t help but smile.Here are a two of my favorite rhymes (the entire book can be viewed here):


Although I must say that my namesake met one of the more grisly ends…


I imagine that Emily loves the Tinies as well – but I’m not sure what she’d make of my treasured Annabelle…I would guess that she’d love the doll but would probably whip up some stripey caps and jazz up her wardrobe a bit… Maybe give her a little ghost for a pal. Or a narwhal… Anything is possible Inside a Black Apple.

*UPDATE: Emily informed me that L is for “lace” and Z is for “Zorro.” Aha!

Vintage Paper Pretties and More

When I was a little girl, I made things with paper. Old wallpaper samples of my mother’s…colorful wrapping paper…construction paper…I just loooved to cut and glue and create with paper!

So Susan Schneider’s lovely website, Shandell’s makes my fingers itch to “make stuff.”

She uses vintage paper, architectural salvage and forlorn and forgotten antiques to create all kinds of treasures.

Like lamp shades…


…and nightlight shades…


…lamps…


…and my personal favorite, exquisite little covered matchboxes:


I think the matchboxes are perfect for lighting candles on special occasions (looks so much prettier on the table than that the matchbox you picked up at the bar last night). They would also make fab hostess gifts (you will actually HEAR your hostess think, “Oh, thank god they didn’t bring wine charms!”)

My only problem is that I’m terrified of lighting matches. So in order to use these, I’d have to get over my fear (they burn down so fast!) Well, I may be a fearful person, but with with a matchbox like one of these, I can cower in style!

I’m Well Connected

Don’t you just love being able to say, “I know her!” Or him, or them…whatever – just saying that you are connected to someone famous. Or kind of famous, or just really well liked…whatever.

Well, that happened to me a couple of days ago when I was perusing my Google reader oohing and aahing over design sites and wishing I didn’t have so many favorites (seriously – I open my reader and see thousands of unread posts – yikes!)

Anyway – one of my favorite favorites (there are tiers you know) is coco+kelly. And as I was breezing through a lovely little wedding pictorial, I had one of those, “I know her!” moments.

See these pretty little raspberry numbers?


They were designed by my friend Kathlin Argiro. I love Kathlin’s work and always feel very proud (and maybe just a bit smug) to show off this connection of mine.

It’s hard to see the dress in that tiny image, but here is a better view in a different fabric:


I would wear this to a garden party. And of course I would tell everyone who gave me a compliment (which would be everyone) that I KNOW the designer. Yes – I’m very well connected…

Do you have any interesting connections? Feel free to brag in comments.

I Don’t Get It (June 11, 2009)

Here via here.

I know – it’s a little out of my comfort zone. So I’m probably not the best judge… But I just don’t understand why this room would be featured in a magazine.I have always LOVED yellow. Even when I was a little girl. In fact, I once told my mother that “every room needs a touch of yellow.” And I still think so. A splash of yellow instantly lightens my mood. But not so much here.

Look – I’m all for the accent pillow. But those looks like big pats of butter. Maybe if they were in different prints – something bold and graphic… Anything would be better than all of that solid yellow.

And the thing hanging from the ceiling? I find it creepy…it brings to mind The Blair Witch Project. But it does work well with the stump-like things that I think are supposed to serve as coffee tables. Not that I’d risk resting a beverage on any of them.

I have admitted before that modern interiors don’t usually speak to me – but I can appreciate a well appointed room. Perhaps if this one didn’t look so stuffed full of white upholstery…a less crowded arrangement would make better use of the light. Then maybe it would hold more appeal for me.

No – I’d still hate that twig thing. Though at the very least, I’d take a “to each his own” attitude.

But hey – this “expert” opinion comes from someone with no design background and a house furnished primarily in hand-me-downs from generous parents…so it doesn’t hold very much weight. What about you? What do you think?

Disclaimer: I promise that in future, I will spew my amateur opinions as infrequently as possible since this is not a site devoted to critique (and uninformed critique at that). But every once in a while I will feel compelled to do this. When I do though, I will always invite the real experts to speak up and set me straight.