Wether decorating for the home or office, I find myself constantly searching for the perfect balance of inspiration and decorative value. These screen printed book pages by Collage-O-Rama serve-up just the right dose (at less than $10 per print, they’re really affordable too)!
I love the alternative use of vintage book pages. Plus, if you’re ever bored, you can actually read the text on the page.
Finding a decent pair of jeans that enhances your best assets and subdues the less favorable ones is often a stressful, arduous process. Words like inseam, rise, and fit swim in your head. Even the well trained shopper can find it nearly impossible to navigate the denim terrain. Sizes are never uniform–not even within the same brands! After multitudes of frustration and careful observation, I give to you one gift: A navigation tool to help guide you to your perfect pair.
Inseam: Measures the length of your jeans from the crotch to the bottom. This is especially important for wider-legged styles because it determines where the jeans break, or widen. Generally speaking, most fits break right around your knees. Note: If you’re properly petite this measurement is important. Unless you are wildly disproportionate, your knees will likely not be in the same vicinity of the model that the jeans were based off of.
European Sizes: Sizes like 29×32, 24×34 and 32×32…What you need to know: The first number measures your waistline, as it relates to your hips and actually being able to button the jeans. The second number measures the outseam, or length of your jeans to the floor measured from the top of the jean to the bottom. Note: Just like American sizes, a 26 is not a universal 26, it’s actually based off of the brands model of choice which can vary by season. That said, you’ll have to try one size up and down all the same.
Rise: Low, mid, high waisted…The rise is measured from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the crotch. What you need to know: This determines how much of your lower back or bottom half is exposed when you bend over. Mid-rise or natural-rise denim ranges from 8.5-10″ and is a great option if you prefer to keep your assets private (personally, I vote yes on anything 8.5″ and up).
Fit: On a scale of tight to loose: skinny, slim, straight, boot-cut, boyfriend…this is one denim term that is actually self-implied. As a rule of thumb, you can fold the jeans in half (right where the knee would be). This is a helpful way to analyze the jeans from the knee to the bottom of the leg. If they don’t really break, they’re straight fit, if they cut/taper inwards they’re skinny. Most retailers say if you’re a size 6 then you’re a European size 28, which is false. The tighter the fit, the less accurate the size and the more alternatives you’ll need to try on.
Does quantity create quality? Many of the greats thought so. It seems logical enough, the more you do something the better you become. Artist Megan Matsuoka puts the theory to test with a personal project that is sure to inspire: 100 poster in 100 days and only an hour to make each one. Check out the evolution of her work over the 100 day period by clicking on her Mark Twain poster (shown below).
While on a recent trip to Bonita Beach, I enjoyed a light and flavorful meal prepared by a local chef. One of the most notable things about this delectable meal (apart from the food itself) was the Himalyan Salt Block that the shrimp appetizer was served on. In addition to enhancing the savory flavor of dishes, the marble-like surface of a Himalayan Salt Block is an incredibly unique way to serve appetizers. The other bonus is that this serving platter is an excellent heat conductor so it keeps hot things hot and cool things cool. You can even cook thinly sliced meats and fish directly on the block! If you’re thinking of one for Mother’s Day, or as a self-gift you can find some pretty cool ones at William-Sonoma or Amazon.com.
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