what i want today: hookmaker by design glut

i swear, the next time i renovate a kitchen, a pair of these fantastic teacup hooks is going in. i can't say enough about these beauties...in fact, i'm wondering if you can commission someone to successfully remove a single tile from a backsplash, so that it can be replaced with one of these. or, heck, just attach it to a blank wall...it's still incredibly sleek, stylish, and the type of design that borders on art.

i love the multi-use potential of this hook, but from a purely aesthetic perspective, i think this would be so darling filled with teabags, with another teacup dangling from the hook below. or, run a series next to a stovetop, and fill with fresh herbs or flowers. the possibilities are endless.

pick them up for $30 each at design glut, and heck, maybe grab a pair of egg pants while you're there.

design redux: carrie's apartment remodel from sex and the city

as i gushed yesterday, i've been obsessed with the apartment makeover in SATC ever since i saw the movie. thank goodness for the internet - one of my darling readers (thanks, j!) sent over this link to an interview on casasugar with jeremy conway, the production designer on the set - aka, the great mind behind the stylin' digs.


if you're into the hows and whys, definitely head over and check out the full interview - casasugar did a fantastic job! and i'll do you one better by suggesting the chicago tribune's interview with the set designers as well.

but if you're just in it for the gory details, here's what i know:

* that stunning paint color is benjamin moore's "electric blue".

* as for those lovely settees flanking that amazing shelving unit (above), well, you're out of luck - they were custom-designed. but the upholstery fabric you can have. it's called amanda lee, and can be yours for $110/yd from the silk trading co.

* the coffee table is vintage, so sourcing doesn't help. but i did just see a freakishly similar version in june's elle decor, which you can find here for $1,950. or, check out this knockoff version at horchow, for under $500, proving once again that sometimes close enough is okay. you could also go old-school and pick up the version from her original apartment, which you can find at room and board (actually designed by them to match the table in the series - how cool is that?).

* the lovely eggplant-and-cream rug in the center of the room comes to us courtesy of the rug company - the design is called overleaf, and it's by marni. pricing runs about $80/sf.

* update! that fab neutral rug in the seating area is also by the rug company - the design is called 'palazzo,' and it was created by one of their founders, suzanne sharp.

last, but most certainly not least: for J, who was kind enough to find me these stunning pics, i'll return the fave by granting her wish.

"After watching the Sex in the City movie, I am in LOVE with Carrie’s apt remodel. I know you saw the film & I am hoping you caught a glimpse of the amazing LOVE print she had framed and leaned against the wall at Charlotte’s baby shower. Can you suggest a version for my home?"

well, J, i can tell you that the "real" version from the movie is called "love too", by veteran design guru paul smith. it's handwoven wool and silk needlepoint, measures right around 3'x4'9", and retails for $2,550, and can be yours by contacting the rug company. if you're crushing on this piece as much as J is, do a search on the rug company's site for "paul smith," and you'll find loads of other needlepoint lovelies, plus all of his fantastic rugs.

and if you can't quite spring for the original, here are a few prints on etsy that might tide you over: from artsyschmartzie, bellabella and jennifer ramos.

so, that's what i know for now...naturally, i'll keep you all posted if more info comes my way.

(credit where credit is due: photos courtesy craig blankenhorn/new line cinema ©2008 via casasugar, the chicago tribune and the rug company.)

because everyone else is doing it...

i feel a bit remiss just completely ignoring the SATC premiere. but, on the other hand, i was sort of proud of being the only blogger in creation who hadn't mentioned it yet today :) then, i realized, the name of this blog being what it is, you all might want my two cents. or maybe not :)

in any case, my very NON-spoiler-like thoughts are that it was very well done - better than i expected, actually. for those haters that are annoyed it wasn't oscar worthy, i will only say: um, duh. it is sex and the city, not citizen kane.

and, i will add that i think it says something about where i am in my life right now that i was vastly (vastly) more enthralled with carrie's apartment makeover (is that a spoiler?) than any of the fashion...well, okay, except the wedding gown photo shoot (which i do not consider a spoiler, as it was on the cover of june vogue). if only i could find pictures...but i'm working on it.

other than that, i sort of refuse to deconstruct any movie, but especially one that's meant to be fun, light, and iconic in the best of ways.

(image credit to the daily mail...thanks, guys!)

what i want today: ekobo kitchenware

i'm in the process of decorating an entire house (in fact, stay tuned for a design week coming up soon!). let me tell you - it's not as fun as it sounds. there are so many choices out there, and i find something new i want every single day. i think decorating doesn't mesh with someone who spends her days shopping online, as you really need to have made a final decision when you order a $3,000 custom couch.

so, i'm reveling in the indecision and overbuying that comes with the territory in the "home accessories" world. items like these stunning (and, might i add, environmentally sound) kitchen accessories by ekobo, rock my design world without stripping my wallet.


the gorgeous bright lacquers make these the perfect showstopper for any dining table, but also make them incredibly functional. i love the teardrop-shaped "tempo" platter ($48), which is a perfect design for passing appetizers - not enough platters have edging, to save your perfect mini-quiches from the dreaded plate slide. or the gorgeous "sumo" bowl ($125), that has a fabulous, modern shape, but retains those thoughtful details, like the highly useful handles.

check out the entire line at ekobo's website, but hit up the conran shop to buy a few selected items. you might even be able to order in your favorite - it's always worth asking!

what i want today: cheeky garden gnome

okay, i admit it - i have a weird fascination with kitschy garden decor. as in gnomes, flamingoes, large cement deer...well, maybe not that last one, but there's definitely a corner of my mind convinced that a pair of hot pink flamingoes on my front lawn is just what's missing from my life.

or, this fabulous little italian garden gnome. if i thought there was even a chance the hubs wouldn't cut off my mouse -clicking finger for buying this, it'd already be on its way to my front door.

(and ps...isn't this site just about the coolest thing you've ever seen? if only i could actually consider purchasing $2,600 sconces.)

what i want today: cutesy tableware

i'm hosting a baby shower tomorrow, so i'm in full-fledged cutesy mode. over the last few days, i've been thanking my lucky stars i wasn't more organized for this fiesta, as i shudder to think of the amount of money i could have spent in preparations, if i'd really tried.


this table runner just screams girly get-together. i spied it at the lovely henry road, which is offering everyone 20% off this weekend only (with code STORE) in celebration of its new store opening. so, i could have had this lovely runner for $40. i'm also quite in love with these grid napkins and these "coffee, tea or me" tea towels.


i've kept meaning to share these, but finally have an appropriate topic. i adore matte stephens - his work is like the best possible combination of the jetsons and where the wild things are. if i had a wee one, i would nab these darling placemats in a heartbeat. but since our only wee one is a small (but vocal) beagle, i probably have a better shot at convincing the hubs of a different design.


these, however, no one would have been able to stop me from buying...if i'd seen them pre-shower. my credit cards thank me, i'm sure...


and really, can we have a cutesy tableware post without at least one anthropolgie option? this snowy owl teapot just brings such a smile to my face! he's even making me rethink my general discomfort when it comes to owls (long, traumatic story about dissecting something very unappealing in high school). and i'm counting the minutes until this gorgeous pitcher goes on sale - how perfect would this be for sangria or lemonade at a summer gathering?

shoppingsmycardio interviews: design*sponge, part 2

as promised, here is part two of the interview we did with the lovely and talented grace bonney, of design*sponge. she has loads more wonderful tips, tricks and words of wisdom to help us all demystify the world of home design.

(photo of grace's lovely home, courtesy of d*s)

shoppingsmycardio: with all of the time you spend scoping out new designers, pieces, and artists, how do you restrain yourself from buying one of everything? i guess what i’m asking is, budget aside, what keeps your style consistent?

design*sponge: The nice thing about running the site is that it feels like the things I’ve covered are actually in my home. I know that sounds totally cheesy, but I set up the site to feel, for me at least, like my own personal inspiration board. I even wanted the background of the site to feel like a neutral backdrop on which I could post new colors, fabrics and pieces that I could enjoy for a day or two and then let go. It’s like window shopping without having to actually go anywhere.

In terms of consistency, my style actually isn’t all that consistent - it’s always changing and morphing as seasons change and trends come and go. I tend to always go for something classic and feminine but the details are always different. I think that’s pretty true of a lot of my readers though - we all have a base style we feel comfortable with and add and subtract details on top of that style to fit our moods.

(mixed media, by amy ruppel)

SMC: it can be so daunting to start an art collection – and especially now, with sites like etsy and 20x200, affordable art is everywhere. it’s a good problem to have, but i think a lot of people have a hard time narrowing the field, and being selective. do you have any words of wisdom for younger people that are interested in starting to collect art?

DS: I’m definitely starting to focus on artwork more and more these days. I used to care more about furniture but with the economy being what it is, I can’t really afford to buy big pieces of furniture anymore - so I find myself focusing on prints, small collages and paintings. But when it comes to editing a personal collection I think that it’s something only the collector can decide. Artwork grabs people for different reasons so it’s tough to suggest ways to be selective.

That said, I always suggest that, rather than buying up multiple $25 prints from a popular artist (that everyone else on Etsy can buy), people save up that $25 for a few months and try commissioning a small, custom piece from that artist. It’s a great way to have something one-of-a-kind without totally breaking your budget. Those are the pieces that mean most to me in my home.

(oil on canvas, by zoe pawlak)

SMC: i’m particularly impressed by your ability to pick out artists early on in their careers that are destined for success – jen garrido is an example that comes to mind. who would you say are some of your “artists to watch” right now?

DS: Oh man, there are always so many artists I’m enjoying and trying to soak up before they become so popular I can’t afford them any more. I guess in terms of fine art I’m really loving Zoe Pawlak and Chelsea James right now. And even though Julia Rothman is totally a design star now I still think she hasn’t even begun to have the sort of visibility she’ll have in the next few years. I have my eyes firmly planted on her. She’s wildly talented, incredibly sweet and I think she’s going to be huge. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see big, national companies wooing her in the coming months/years.

(image courtesy of jonathan adler)

SMC: home design can feel really overwhelming for most people – i think it’s hard for most of us to translate the fabulous ideas we see into something concrete and workable, but still our own. individual pieces, or even entire rooms designed by other people might sing to us, but how do you translate those inspiration items into an overall aesthetic, so that you don’t just end up with clutter?

DS: Man, if I had a short answer to that question I’d be a genius. But sadly I’m pretty ‘green’ when it comes to creating an overall aesthetic. Because my style is always changing I’m in a constant struggle to keep things less jumbled, but ultimately I think that’s okay for now - I’m young, I’m sort of all over the place when it comes to life and projects and style, so right now my home reflects that. But I’m sure as I settle down and mature a bit more my style will become more refined.

In more general terms though, I think it’s always great to stick to simple, classic pieces when it comes to big furniture and let smaller decorative accessories like pillows, lampshades, etc. do the talking when you want something fun and different in a room. Those can easily be sold or gifted when you’re ready to try something new and they won’t leave you with a heavy, expensive piece of furniture that feels dated.

(image courtesy of d*s)

SMC: if you weren’t writing design*sponge, what would you be doing for a living? do you have a “back-up” dream job?

DS: I’ve got a few, but they all involve food. I’d love to go to culinary school just to learn and then go work at a specialty food shop. There’s no way I could handle the heat of a professional kitchen (literally and figuratively) but I love food too much to ignore that side of me forever.

SMC: what one design tip do you wish you could teach everyone out there?

DS: Right now it would be to focus on quality pieces and let accessories do the trend-talking. When it comes down to it, we’re all on some sort of budget so it makes sense to stick to classic pieces that won’t go in and out of style quickly and leave the fun, trendy purchases to small things like lighting and pillows. Those smaller, less-expensive pieces will let you play with color and pattern without maxing out your credit card.

i'd like to extend a really huge thank you to grace for taking the time to talk with us. she's a busy, busy lady these days, between the incredible success of design*sponge, her new gig as a contributing editor at domino magazine (my all-time favorite mag, by the way), and the zillions of other projects she's always working on. if d*s isn't already in your top blog reads, i hope you'll change that soon - it's really a fab and inspirational site!

(ps...if you missed the first half of the interview, catch it here!)

what (else) i want today: amy butler for mikasa

oh, the love...the love is here, it is strong, and it is going to potentially compel me to buy an entire set of china with birds on it (which, yes, i realize is very high on the list of "things i do not need"...and i just don't care).

if you don't know amy butler, you should get to know her - she's a fabric designer and artist extraordinaire. and the decision to do this vintage-inspired collection for mikasa is nothing short of sheer genius.

a big thank you to poppytalk for letting us in on the fabulousness, and to design healing for taking the pics!

you are important

i so, so badly want to buy this and hang it in my bathroom. fortunately, it's from one of my favorite art sites, 20x200, which means i actually can buy this and hang it in my bathroom, without breaking the bank.

20x200 in a nutshell: every tuesday they release a print of a painting. every wednesday it's a photograph. edition is limited to 200 pieces, size is 8x10, price is $20 each. they also offer a larger size of each piece, edition of 20, price is $200. or, a gigantic version, edition of 2, price is $2,000.

but basically, it's a fabulous way to get a limited edition print, from an often very well known artist, for peanuts. i absolutely love it!

shoppingsmycardio interviews: reform school

from my first visit to reform school's outstanding website, i knew i was going to be spending a lot of time there. the site boasts a truly unique mix of art, home decor, books, paper goods, fashion accessories...i could go on and on.

reform school started out as a brick & mortar store in the los angeles area, but owners billie and tootie quickly found there was such tremendous demand for their wares that they set up the website, and it's been uphill ever since.

one of my very favorite qualities about the site, in addition to the dozens of fabulous things i never knew i needed but suddenly can't live without, is their 'student of the month' series. the owners collaborate with well-known or up-and-coming artists to develop a limited-edition print that is only available through reform school, and is priced to make the work of these amazing artists affordable for anyone. i recently picked up this amazing print by jen garrido (her first print, actually), of whom i've been a longtime fan.

there are literally so many things i want to show you all that this post would be ridiculous if i wrote them all up. so, i'm just going to post pictures along with the interview. just click the pics, and enjoy what billie and tootie had to say - they're just fantastic people!

shoppingsmycardio: i would love to know how you and your partner came up with the concept for this store - i don't think there's anything else like it out there. can you tell me a little about how you decide what makes it onto the shelves, and what the overall concept/inspiration is?

reform school: Basically the concept came from our love of several different things...handmade contemporary crafts, sustainable design and independent art and artists. We thought they fused well together and they were all related on some level. Our focus is obviously one of reused or recycled materials. Simply, what makes it onto our shelves are items we find unique and that we would enjoy in our own homes or lives. As partners, we're always bouncing product ideas off one another and most of the time we're on the same page. However, if one feels really strongly about something and the other may not be so into it...we trust eachothers instinct to at least give it a shot. So far this has worked out really well for us.

SMC: do you buy one of everything you stock? i'm not sure i'd be able to stop myself!

RS: We've learned to control ourselves a bit on ordering but still have a way to go. It's definitely a huge perk.

SMC: what are your top 3 favorite items on the site right now?

RS: Always the Student of the Month. It's just very personal to us. It means alot to us that these artists are willing to create something exclusively for ReForm School. We both love the Ayumi Horie pottery, Yu-i Chen scarves, We Are So Good Together print, and of course the Treeblock Treehouse and building blocks for kids. Okay, okay,...so that more than three, but really...we could keep going on and on!

SMC: are there any areas of the site you'd like to expand on in the near future?

RS: Yes, we plan to add bigger items such furniture and it's always a thrill to discover up and coming artists whose work hasn't been seen anywhere else. (Such as Yu-i Chen.....she's unbelievable!) We're constantly working on more exclusives with different artists and companies.

SMC: i absolutely love the 'student of the month' series - can you tell us a little about how that came into being? any artists you're working with that you could give us a sneak preview of?

RS: Obviously when you open up a shop, you want to offer something different and origianal and we are always looking for ways to work more closely with our favorite artists. The Student of the Month is a great way to keep customers interested and it certainly keep us on our tippy toes constantly seeking new artists and product for each month. Look for new work by Alyson Fox, Hammerpress, K-Studio and many more in the coming months.

SMC: normally, i'd ask about your favorite, no-fail outfit. but i'd actually like to know about your favorite, no-fail home decor tips. any words of wisdom for those of us who are desperately trying to make our homes as cool as reform school?

RS: Personally we rely on flea markets, thrifting...and the best...curbside giveaways! Any product from ReForm School would fit well with any decor Just like clothing...always invest in quality pieces. We always ask ourselves...is this something we'll like 5-10 years from now. It's a great way to practice sustainability.

a huge, huge thank you to billie and tootie for taking the time to chat with us.

one big ordering tip: if something you love looks "out of stock," it's worth checking in with the store before you dispair. they get new stock in so often, it's entirely possible what you're looking for is in the shop and just not up on the site yet.

ooh, and....well, let's just say if you're not already a daily candy deals subscriber, but you saw something you liked at reform school...well, today would be a really good day to sign up.

what i want today: cheesy love plates

i know, i know - they're cheesy and over-the-top. and i completely adore them. there's only one set left, and i've been trying to figure out how to convince the hubs they're a housewares necessity (read: joint budget expenditure) ever since i spotted them a week ago.

could someone else please buy them & put me out of my misery?

(ps: definitely check out the rest of the store when you click over - it's fantastic!)

what i want today: pocket campfire

i realize it's late on friday, and hopefully everyone's gone home for the day. but i came across this darling little candleholder and just couldn't keep it to myself. isn't it fantastic?? this little cutie holds just a teensy votive candle, but the thin white porcelain makes the entire thing glow. so this really is a pocket campfire, if ever there was one.

i am dying to buy a half dozen (do-able, since they're only $15 each), put them in a line down my dining room table, and let my friends and family ooh and ahh when i invite them over for a fabulous meal.

(ps: don't miss the how-to-use video on velocity's website.)

etsy of the day: mrs eliot books

obsessed hardly begins to cover it. i want so many pieces by this lovely artist that i'm considering just having her send me the whole lot, and offering her a kidney in trade.

mrs eliot's originals are collages mounted on wood - she does both one-piece works and works that are a hinged-together series. hard to explain, but the picture above is an example of one of my favorites, called "sunday evenings." the text on the images reads "Good heavens! It's so beautiful at this time of the evening isn't it?". sigh...i heart heart heart it.

francesca (the artist) was kind enough to share a little bit with me about her composition and inspiration. i loved what she had to say:

my pieces on wood are mainly collages of paper, i also sometimes draw directly onto the wood. i love using pencil on white painted wood. I usually have all my paper scraps on my computer anyway because i sometimes work out compositions on my mac and it also allows me to print the patterns onto whatever paper i like, for example if i want a piece to have more texture, i might print onto an embossed vintage wallpaper.

i started with my [hinged wooden] books; at art school i had loved making collages of torn up sentences and illustrations in my little A6 sketchbooks and when i revisited them for inspiration i realised i wanted to do that for a living! but in a way that was more lasting and so that they could be on display and not hiding in a book that you had to open every time. that's the problem with a lot of artists' books, they sit on a bookshelf half the time and you never get to see inside. a few months later i discovered the craft blogs, and then etsy, and that was it.

delightful, isn't she? best of all, her pieces are so affordable - you can score one of her originals (usually done in editions of 10) for $60-70, and she offers prints of most of her pieces for $20, as well as notecards and other fun toys. i have no idea how she does it, but she manages to make the prints of her hinged books every bit as darling as the original.

i can just picture this above the sink in my kitchen - so perfect! or, i love the idea of grabbing a bunch of her season prints as a set - i found autumn (my absolute favorite), winter and summer on the site, but i'm guessing spring is around the corner.

and, just because i love it so, i'll show you this one too...it's called milk.

head on over to francesca's etsy site and snap up any or all of her gorgeous pieces today...or just enjoy the lovely art show (and the photos that show how adorable her home is - i'm in love with her teacup collection!).

what i want today: obscenely expensive throw pillows

something about winter makes me into a nester. all of a sudden, i stop shopping for clothes (well...okay, i shop less for clothes), and i covet bowls, furniture, new bedding...all of those things that make it fun to just stay inside and admire your purchases.

this week, it's been all about freakishly expensive throw pillows. i realize i'm probably never going to actually spend $300 on this laser-cut leather pillow, for example, but truly, you have to admit: it's so gorgeous, it's literally art. and who says art has to be on the wall? i mean, you know, other than the fact that i own animals, and seeing my dog curled up on top of my "art", taking a nap, would probably give me a coronary.

still...i'd put it on a simple leather club chair, or even just an old rocking chair, and i'm convinced the entire corner of the room would be transformed.

and then, i've completely fallen hook, line and sinker, for the gorgeous pillows (okay, for pretty much everything) over at jonathan adler. how much more fun would your living room be if your couch had this fabulous disco lady at one end, and one of those gorgeous bargello designs on the other? i also love the idea of the studio 54 'admit one' pillow on a bed. works even better if you're single...


this version from anthropologie is (frighteningly) the most affordable of the bunch, at $88. but it's so cheery and happy - i just want to put it somewhere and look at it all day. well, actually i want to put it and a few of its friends somewhere... but unless my ever-practical husband is suddenly kidnapped and reprogrammed by throw-pillow-loving aliens, something tells me these are staying on the shelves at my favorite shops for a while.

anyone else have the redecorating bug this winter?

etsy of the day: kim westad pottery

yep, another etsy obsession. i stumbled across the very talented kim westad's work during one of my marathon etsy-browsing sessions, and i'm completely smitten. her pieces are all incredibly functional, but they're also gorgeous, unique, and just ooze personality.

i snapped up one of these sweet peas pictured above (love the name!) as soon as i spied it - talk about love at first sight! but i haven't quite decided how to use yet. it'd be perfect to hold makeup brushes, but i almost hate to hide it away in the bathroom. it would also be gorgeous on my mantle. or in my kitchen, holding a couple of flowers...hmm, maybe i need more than one...

but, it's hard to decide if i need two of those, or whether i'd rather take advantage of the fact that kim sells her seconds on her etsy shop, so i could score this stunning crocus vase for $60, which is a pretty amazing deal on such a gorgeous piece of art. this would make a fabulous grouping on a shelf, with the sweet pea, the crocus vase and maybe a piece from the jonathan adler menagerie (which i'm still coveting with a vengeance) - maybe a hippo or a giraffe.

i love these whirl serving dishes as well - they'd be gorgeous either as a serving piece or just empty on a coffee table. and i'd love to snap up a whole set of these gorgeous soup bowls in all sorts of colors. heck, i'd be thrilled with two or three of just about everything kim has to offer. wouldn't you?

what i want today: high tea cookie stand

yep, i'm officially obsessed now...the january anthropologie catalog has taken over my brain.

but truly, i can't really imagine anything more perfectly suited to my taste than this completely gorgeous high tea cookie stand. love doesn't even begin to describe it. i want to hug it and kiss it and call it george. i want to have all of my friends over for tea just so i have an excuse to buy it. as i continue to stock up my hodgepodge of mismatched teacups, this really is just about the most perfect complement to the "set" that i could possibly imagine.

for the record, i would like to officially blame grace at design*sponge for my obsession with this, by the way. sure, i probably would have found it on my own, but she posted it on her blog before i even got started with The Catalog From Hell....so my obsession started a little early.

shoppingsmycardio interviews: holiday party help from little black apron!

i recently got a chance to check out a new book on the stacks called little black apron. i have to admit that it takes a lot for a cooking/entertaining book to really impress me, but these ladies have done it. the book is geared toward the single girl with zero culinary experience...so that makes it the perfect gift for your little sis headed off to college, or your culinarily clueless BFF (gotta love that alliteration, don't you?). but even though it includes introductory information (like how to make a smart grocery list), it also ups the ante with loads of delish, and healthy recipies - all of which are sized for one, which i would have killed for when i was single.

but my favorite part of the book is the section on entertaining, where the authors (nutritionist jodi citrin, chef katie nuanes, and writer melissa gibson) have teamed up to turn entertaining into a science - literally. instead of party 'tips,' they have full-blown party formulas. so, say you want to throw a bridal shower - they have a guide that tells you exactly how many portions of how many different entrees, desserts and drinks you need to make, so the guesswork is gone. just make 5 recipes of curried scallops, double the caramelized onion frittata...and so on. i love it!

but even more exciting news: for those of us that still have holiday parties to throw, the authors of little black apron agreed to do a Q&A for us to help us be those impossibly chic hostesses we dream of being.

shoppingsmycardio: I absolutely love the concept of this book – I wish I’d had it around back in my single days. How did you come up with the idea?

Little Black Apron: We came up with the concept in a bar! It surfaced during a conversation over being single and living in a city. The more we talked about our experiences in the kitchen the more we knew that other girls had to feel the same way. We would work all day, come home, be under-whelmed by what was in our refrigerator and inevitably order take out. Thus, we were spending a considerable amount of money on food, gaining weight and losing out on cooking nutritious meals for ourselves.

SMC: The three of you seem like such a perfect team. How did you all come together on this project?

LBA: Katie and I met through a mutual friend in San Francisco. We literally began talking about the concept in a bar that evening and by the next morning began working on an outline. Jodi and I are best friends from college (Duke University) and she immediately loved the concept when I explained it to her. Katie and I knew that the book required an additional angle and voice, and nutrition seemed like the perfect fit. The irony is that we wrote the entire book over email and Katie (living in Orange County) and Jodi (living in NYC) didn’t meet “in person” until after we’d turned in our first draft.

SMC: So, initially, this book looks like “just another cookbook.” But you’ve included a lot of basic culinary and dietary info as a primer, which you don’t see done very often. Was that an important part of the book to you, or did you approach this primarily as a cookbook project?

LBA: The book was written for the cooking neophyte. We knew, based on our experiences and those of our fellow single friends, that most women didn’t know anything about their kitchen – from a grater to Gorgonzola. We wanted to breakdown the misconception that the kitchen is an intimidating arena. Like most things in life, if you have an understanding of basic vernacular and have the right tools, you’re much more apt to succeed at the task; cooking is no exception.

SMC: With the holidays upon us, I’d love to pick your brains for some tips and tricks for holiday parties. It just feels like so much work around the holidays to put a party together. But of course, we all want to see our friends and family together this time of year. What’s your favorite way to throw a low-key holiday get-together?

LBA: Inspiration from a dish you want to try or simply no reason at all, other than surrounding yourself by those whom you adore, entertaining is the perfect way to hone your cooking skills. Below is an outline for a simple and chic bash that any girl can pull off. The trick to any successful event is planning. Set a theme, plan your menu, plot a timeline/schedule, and create a budget.

SMC: And if you really want to go all-out, can you give us some guidelines for that type of event?

LBA: Outlined below is a "chic, but cheap" New Year's Eve soiree that is sure to be a crowd pleaser for anyone's guests. We believe that every event should have a theme. For this New Year's Eve, why not intrigue your guests with the seductive and sultry atmosphere of Morocco. Create an ambiance of North Africa from your decorations to your dessert: A Night in Marrakech.

Below are a few recipes that are the perfect way to cater to your guests without breaking your pocketbook. The recipes are pulled from our book The Little Black Apron: A Single Girl's Guide to Cooking with Style & Grace, but have been increased from "portions for one" to portions for a party that serves guests.

Starters/Appetizers:
Store-bought spreads are an easy way to satisfy your guests before the main event. All of the items below can be purchased at your local supermarket, but we've found that Trader Joe's is perfect!!

Hummus (2-3 containers)
Babaganoush (1 container)
Toasted Pita (1/2-1 pita per person)

Main:
North African Carrot Salad
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
juice of 3-4 lemons
2 1/2 tablespoons honey
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
5 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
15-20 carrots, peeled and sliced on an angle into 1/8" slices
3/4 cup golden raisins
salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine the oil, lemon juice, honey, and cumin in a bowl and mix well.
2. Add the cilantro, carrots, raisins, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.

Maple Dijon Salmon
5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
5 tablespoons maple syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions (aka green onions), use both white and green parts
3 tablespoons garam masala (North African spice blend, found on teh spice aisle of your grocery store)
10 4-6 ounce salmon filets, pin bones removed (the bones that run through the middle of the filet...ask your fish guy to do this, or it's just as easy to do it yourself with a pair of needle nose pliers)
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a bowl, combine mustard, syrup, scallions and garam masala
3. Oil a baking sheet with the olive oil. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper and place on th ebaking sheet, then spread about 1 tablespoon of the dijon mixture on each filet
4. Bake the filet for 5-6 minutes, then top each filet with another tablespoon of the dijon mixture and bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove each filet using a thin spatula

Cous Cous with Apricots and Smokey Almonds
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 1/2 cups cous cous
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup chopped smoked almonds
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil
2. Add the cous cous and cinnamon, stir, and cover with foil or a lid. Turn off the heat.
3. Let the cous cous sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork to separate all of the grains
4. Stir in butter until melted, than add apricots, almonds, parsley, salt and pepper and combine well

Dessert:
Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt with Figs, Honey and Pistachios
10 scoops low-fat vanilla bean frozen yogurt
20 small ripe figs, stems trimmed, cut into quarters
1/2-3/4 cup lavender honey (or your favorite variety)
3/4 cup chopped toasted pistachios

1. Scoop the frozen yogurt into bowls and top witht the figs
2. Drizzle honey over the figs, then top with pistachios

SMC: That sounds amazing! What are some unique, creative ideas to really make a party special? I love seeing the little touches that really great hostesses use to make their event stand out in your mind.

LBA: Below are a handful of very inexpensive, yet chic decorations and entertaining staples that can be used for other occasions, but again, won't put a host/hostess into the red on the first of the year. They can be found at any Cost Plus World Market and many times Target! All items are under $25:
* Lanterns w/ candles
* Moroccan bowls and platters
* Tangine bowl
* Throw pillows
* Party Favors: Sparklers tied with monogrammed wine charms in the shape of blue starts (with silver metallic pen)

SMC: What is your absolute favorite recipe in the book?
Katie: Seared Pepperonata Tuna Steak
Jodi: Baked Chicken Smothered in Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
Melissa: Maple, Bacon Brussels Sprouts

SMC: Since we do a lot more shopping than sauteeing here at shoppingsmycardio, tell us about your favorite, no-fail party outfit.

LBA: For casual, your favorite pair of jeans, a fabulous (but comfortable) top. From there, depending on what type of shoe-a-holic you are, complete the get-up with stellar knee-high boots, chic flats or fabulous stilettos. For evening, a simple black dress (every girl should have one that fits her perfectly). Dress it up or down depending on how swank the event. Again, your go-to pair of shoes is a must and will set the tone for your ensemble and moreover, illustrate your unique personality. This goes for jewelry as well. We each have our own personal style – Jodi (trendy, colorful and themed with each outfit); Katie (chunky and mismatched with lots of metallic); Melissa (lots of jewelry that seems to never comes off or change by outfit).

SMC: What is your one best tip about cooking or entertaining?

LBA: Do not be afraid. Have faith that with all of your failures (cooking and entertaining) you will inevitably become a better chef and hostess. Learn from these mishaps, with time and many burnt soufflés later, you will evolve into a wonderful chef and hostess.

wow! thank you so much to the wonderful ladies behind little black apron - there is some wonderful advice there that's sure to make even the most hostess-phobic girl into a born entertainer. and um, if anyone's making that delish maple dijon salmon for new year's, feel free to send an invite my way!

what i'm giving today: everything jonathan adler is selling

i'm literally so in love with jonathan adler right now that every single person on my list would be getting gifts from him if i could afford it. he just makes me happy. his site is completely cheerful, his designs are modern and hip, but fun and relaxed (i really hate most modern design because it's so stiff and uncomfy-looking), and i am such a sucker for using bright color in design, which is one of his mantras.

and really, there isn't a single person on your gift list who couldn't use a little jonathan adler in their life.

your favorite domestic diva? she'll go nuts for this gorgeous utopia faces platter, which will be perfect for all of her holiday fetes. or consider this fabulous muse candle, which will make her house smell fantastic and inspire endless exclamations of "where did you find that!" for months to come.

the guy you can never think of anything to buy for? if he's under 40, nab this fabulous condom caddy...and stock it chock full of some glow-in-the-dark items, just for added kitsch. (it was all my hubs could do to talk me down from buying this for my little brother. something about it being creepy for your big sis to buy you condoms...hmm, maybe he has a point.)

if the guy is over 40, my vote goes to the utopia remote box or the key keeper, both of which will put those things they need most within easy reach.

i can guarantee that several people on my list are getting this darling utopia mug. throw a bag of your favorite tea and a little bit of honey, and there isn't a person i know who wouldn't love this gift.

i don't know about you, but my BFF would fall hard for this darling disco chick - i'm dying to install her on a chair in my living room. and for your favorite friend who's been naughtier than nice, the sins pillow would be the perfect addition to their boudoir.

even grandma's taken care of - she'd flip for the darling spectacles case or the lipstick case, and she'll think of you every time she pulls those reading glasses out of her purse.

last but not least, i think just about anyone would find themselves loving adler's decorating how-to, "my prescription for anti-depressive living." the pics are gorgeous, the advice is lighthearted but oh-so-true, and the best part is that if you order it from his site, you'll get an autographed copy! sure, you can buy it at amazon for $12 less, but i think the autograph really makes the gift. this book really is fabulous - i leaf through my copy all the time, and it never fails to make me want to paint a wall orange...or maybe lime green.

and, in case you needed more incentive to wrap up your holiday shopping at the adler online extravaganza, there's a 'spend some, get some' coupon available. use code holidaylicious and get $20 off $150, $40 off $250, $60 off $350...and so on. plus, free shipping on orders over $150, so you have even more incentive to spend, spend, spend. isn't that what the holidays are all about?

what i want today: girly home goods

every so often, i heave a little tiny sigh of nostalgia for my carefree, single days....days when i could buy an absurdly expensive chair covered in flowers, without it being vetoed by my darling hubs for being either (a) way too girly, or (b) completely, irresponsibly expensive.

and when i have those days, i invariably go overboard, looking for excessively girly ways to decorate my office - the one room in my house over which i have total, girl-i-fying control.

if i could eliminate the "way, way too expensive" portion of the equation, i'd almost certainly be bringing this beautiful chair home to rest. i love the cool, sleek 70s vibe, balanced against the almost-eccentric floral crewel work (see the november issue of martha stewart to verify that crewel is, apparently, back). i think it would be the perfect thing to add some color, without dipping a toe into the very dangerous laura ashley territory.

and while i'm at it, i'll buy a handful of these gorgeous vintage italian fashion sketches (check out those fabulous green shoes!), some insanely decorative frames in which to hang them, and paper the walls with girly.

well, at least, in my head, i will.