Bagged flair

Friendly folks, do you recollect Vim Trousseau’s glam-ridden swankified handbags I mentioned in my post about Unique LA’s winter ’09 showcase? Not only are they confoundingly fabulous, but the talented designer, Jennifer Elizabeth, is a parcel of sweetness and awesomeness herself. I got to meet her via her lovely cousin Tiersa, who happens to be my co-worker chummy, and even had the blissful opportunity to photograph some product shots earlier this year at Vim Trousseau’s line’s inception. ‘Twas such privileged fun, and now the snapshots are featured on Vim Trousseau’s blog here!Many thanks for the splendid spread, Jennifer! My shots do her eye-catching purses no justice, for her signature “…mini-tote features bold images, colorful trim and is adorned with fashionable jewelry…” that “…cater[s] to your individuality.” So waste not another second, and visit Vim Trousseau to snag a “Glossy Queen” original!

Preparatory prerequisites

Bustled in the kitchen yesternight to accommodate impending baking aplenty in the forthcoming days till Christmas' eve. Now the fridge is stuffed with home-concocted primary rounds of freshly whipped frosting, mounds of cookie dough, and the like all ready to be baked, packaged, and delivered. Cheers to the attempt at not baking for the masses last minute in a frazzled flurry reminiscent of years past.

Flea flit-by

for a treasure trove of time-honored knick-knacks for my pickin'!I shall ne'er tire of flea marketing for vintage curios of unparalleled character.

Irresistibly unique

Unique LA is consistently hearkened an event of sweeping grandeur for 'tis the biggest craft show in the vicinity,where crafters and patrons alike flock for the showcase of a wide breadth of handcrafted goodies.I'm nuts about the handmade lifestyle, and at Unique LA, the utmost talent and creativity intermingle into a showstopping indie marketplacethat is unequivocally a tad more extraordinary whence friendly folks are found flaunting their wares, including Vim Trousseauand oh, hello friend, amongst others.Attending craft shows always make me sorely miss crafting as my shop has been blatantly vacant for well o'er a year due to life's hustle and bustle of late, but hark! Sheer Whimsy shall be opening up once more with the forthcoming commencement of the new year!

To herald in nippier weather

that finally seems to be permeating the days on a steady note (as steadfast as can be in perennial sunshine-graced Southern California), a nifty mishmash of crocheting and knitting shall commence.Happy happy weekend, guys and dolls! Might you be participating in yarnwork projects, too? Do feel free to share ideas of the brilliant sort!

'Twas a thankful time

with family and those like family o'er Thanksgiving as we reveled in the plethora of undeserved blessings graciously granted by the Savior to whom I'm ever grateful.I do hope yours was just as loverly. Jeepers, now 'tis high time for Christmastide notions to fill the air!

Won'tcha

jitterbug with me sometime?I'm rather keen on Charleston-ing, too.Let's just boogie down, ballroom-style!

Tried-and-true thrills

I can ne'er resist a hearty expedition to the flea market to oblige a preferred pastime of scouring for legacy-abundant vintage oddities to utilize for the upcoming project (to be unveiled in a couple of moons),especially whence the jaunt is capped by an impromptu haute cupcake stopover.'Twas such a swell afternoon.

Candied

apples are so wondrously tasty to the tastebuds. My insatiable sweet tooth can never ever resist cheesecake candied apples from this tantalizing treat-churning factory. They're a top tier old-fashioned favorite next to cake and froyo, chiefly amidst nippier fall weather. I've resolved to attempt concocting homemade ones soon, perhaps in accordance with Thanksgiving next week. Till then, happy weekending, friendly folks - hope it's a downright treat!

Craftplacement

I sorely miss crafting. Profoundly so. Particularly 'cause I've a plethora of ideas in my noggin I'm itching to spawn into existence. Near-daily craft sessions of yesteryear have dwindled to ephemeral present-day spurts and a vacant shop due to the current phase of bustling post-grad life. Till I move back to the City of Angels (in a couple of moons!), which shall facilitate craft frenzies once again, the nine-to-six and other niceities continue to monopolize my time.

At least the workity-work breeds entertaining anecdotes aplenty. Take a worthwhile gander at them here on my personal monoblog.

Currently craving

a delectably healthified vegan dessert in cupcake form hailed from the most favored cafe in the City of Angels.

In honor of Babycakies #3

Weeks of conceptualizing and scheming manifested in a much-awaited surprise baby shower for Mama Ruby and Babycakies #3 this weekend past. Ruby is one extraordinarily special crafty mama of the utmost creative sort so Team Hong/Hwang/Wong/Kim enacted a children's book-themed baby shower riddled with handmade flair reminiscent of everythang towards which Ruby is inclined, from frenzily crafting vintage feedsack scrapsinto vibrantly chipper fabric pennant bannersto complement paper doily streamersin accordance with a festive antique atmosphere.To satiate hunger pangs was a plethora of homemade tasties that each corresponded with a Polaroid of a beloved kiddie storybook: dainty healthified turkey-swiss-spinach-hummus tea sandwiches like those the refined Eloise would have consumed amidst her mischievous antics about New York's Plaza Hotel,variegated goldfish crackers reminiscent of The Rainbow Fish,savory spaghetti and meatballs like that of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,organic veggies to munch and crunch as displayed throughout The Vegetable Alphabet Book,dino-silhouetted nuggets to edibly symbolize those in If the Dinosaurs Came Back,and, of course, a perilous brigade of homecrafted sweet treats:mini melt-in-your-mouth chocochip cookiespaired with vanilla soymilk shotglasses to exemplify If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,madeleine cookies to mimic Paris-prowling Madeline,a round of home-baked peanut butter cupcakes crowned with cream cheese frosting and Almond Roca tidbits (merely 'cause Ruby indulges an affinity for peanut buttery goodness)to supplement red velvet babycakes with ample dollops of cream cheese frosting, whose red-and-white appearance bespoke of The Cat in the Hat,chocopudding, Oreo cookie, and gummy worm fused dirt cups to enjoy in remembrance of Diary of a Worm,and a watermelon cart replete with succulent fruit cubes worthy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.All was primed for the momentous arrival of Ruby herself,who graced us all with the most epic reaction ever to be recorded in surprise shindig history. HAHAHAHA.Oh, lovely Bratcher family, how we love you guys and your forthcoming Babycakies #3!!!A smattering of shenanigans befittingly ensued, from a recently engaged chummy proposing to her sister for her hand in maid-of-honor'ness,to incessantly squealing over a just-engaged gal pal, whose fiancé carved, sanded, and painted her in loving toil a ring from a hunk of wood,to garrulously enjoying the cherished company of friendly folks.Ruby, I thank the Lord for you mucho grande nachos for you are an ever dear and wonderful friend who never ever fails to inspire and encourage me with your creativity that spawns legendary craftiness, your godly wisdom from experiences past, your daily living out your role as a wife and mama that indicates so much joy in the Lord, your heart for your chummies, and your taking every crafty/blogging opportunity God is granting you to glorify Him. I love learning from you, nerdily crafting with you, baking with you, chitter chattering lightyears a minute with you, and exchanging with you novels of email updates. I LOVE YOU SO!!!Team Hong/Hwang/Wong/Kim loves Ruby...Ellen, we missed you!

This post is also posted here on my personal blog.

It isn't an eye-opener

that I've a fondness for everything of the artsy description. All things beautiful and creative. Sewing and watching fabric scraps and notions convert into something lovely, practical, and thoroughly handmade. The delightfully rusty, faded, worn, history-ridden states of vintage knick-knacks scoured from flea markets. The harmoniously eye-catching paint palettes in interior spaces. The irresistible textures of an outfit's two-toned T-strap heels, lacy slip peeking from beneath a circle skirt, and jaunty brooch garnishing a cardigan. The amalgamation of layers on Photoshop that generate a distinctive piece of graphic design. The flawlessly swirled mound of frosting atop a freshly baked cupcake. The haughty charm of a rickety brownstone apartment. The brazen way untamed flora inch towards sun-drenched skies. The composition of photographs that immortalize each intricate and transient moment of beauty evermore. And, of course, inspiring blogs that showcase all things captivating and creative.

Sharing with the world decorating ideas, art, architecture, interior spaces, graphics, and products is Pepsi of Simply Artsy. She is “…obsessed with all beautiful senses of design and hopes to inspire readers to live a more fulfilling creative lifestyle.” Take a peek at her lovely blog, and you’ll perceive without fail that she is one tremendously talented gal! Not to mention that she featured my playground of a studio this week.What an absolute honor. Thank you so very much, Pepsi! So, friendly folks, mosey on over and treat thy eyes with all things simply artsy!

Antique acquiring

Perusin' prime picks of aged curios always adds a dash of chipperness to my day, particularly whence snagging many a steal of a deal for the upcoming project of grand proportions.

Patch o' pumpkins

A year's entirety has diddle daddled away since the last vagabond expedition out to a parochial haven that once again beckoned to usas we verged upon the marvelously captivating sight beyond the encompassing bucolic white fence - a provincial patch teeming with portly pumpkins for the pickin' awash in sun-dazzling brilliancetowards which neighboring sunflower families inclined themselvesand through which we cavortedto procure the crème de la crème of vine-ripened pumpkins to usher in a finicky Fall.Dandy diversionary afternoontide!