5/31/12

Once Upon a Time / 1

I've been really appreciating all the informative + kind feedback from an opinion survey I put out on my facebook page (If you'd like to have a say, too, click HERE before the end of the week.).  One of the most requested blog series suggestions was to have a sort of "day in the life" where I would show you some behind the scene images of my day-to-day life + work.  So here it is, the first of many installments of  "Once Upon a Time" - named for the moments in time that create my story.  I sure hope you enjoy it...
See these?  I'm currently constructing some jewelry using this German glass glitter... and, boy oh boy, are they fun pieces.  I hope to have them cured, photographed, and uploaded onto my shop within the week.

It's likely that you will be seeing more of this shmoosh face, Mars the Dog, in future Once Upon a Time posts.  He's always close by, hoping for kisses and treats (but probably more for the treats than for my kisses).

 This from a color chart for some cute li'l hair clips that will be launched with the German glass jewelry.  
Think: ombre tones and color blocking.

Color inspiration and notes in one of my journals...  Some ideas stick, some evolve into something else entirely, but I like to have reference to go back to and pull from, if my mood requires.

This book was a gift from my brother, Louis.  Though I was born and raised primarily in New England, much of my family + older siblings were born and spent years of their childhoods in and around New York.  My mom's side of the family, in particular, had their handmade ornate Italian furniture studio in Brooklyn and their showroom in mid-town Manhattan throughout most of last century.  I really value and take pride in this artistic heritage and so love flipping through this book to remind me of that connection.  
Such a treat...
(Thanks, Lou!) 

So that's that.  Until next time...

5/30/12

The Eats / Apple Cider Pancakes


Some late nights I get the craving for chocolate chip pancakes.  
But I think I would be just as happy eating these apple cider pancakes (do you think I could get away with adding the chocolate chips to these?)

[Recipe HERE]

5/29/12

Gosh.

For the little girl in me who loves flowers and frills (I'm fessing up, shamelessly.)...
this adorable grown up bikini is calling my name.

5/28/12

I Wish / I Am...

Today I wish to be sleeping in for the holiday here...

... and then taking a long hot shower here...


and then completing the day with this...


Nice, huh?



5/25/12

Into the weekend...


I feel like I've been given this reminder a lot lately.  Maybe it's time I become a little less hesitant.  Risking can be terrifying...or courageous and so worth it.  I'm hoping for a braver self + watching where that takes me. 
This weekend, it'll be a hodgepodge of designing + friends + a solo dance party + hopefully an ecstatic amount of love.
Enjoy a fearless one, friends.
Love,
Cath

P.S. THIS + THIS made me chuckle.

[Quote]

5/24/12

The Eats / Holy god.



I'm on a serious chocolate // sea salt // caramel kick these days. But this... this lava cake is knocking my socks off.  One big awesome yummy mess.

Recipe HERE

5/23/12

Behind the Design: Custom Bridal Headpiece

Much of my work is based on custom orders for clients who want something exclusive to their hopes + vision, particularly for brides.  And this is where I step in.  So when I recently got a request from a bride on the East Coast to recreate the headpiece (but in blush pink) that Carrie wore to a wedding in the movie, Sex and the City 2, I was up for the job.  (Disclaimer: Don't hate, but I am not a Sex and the City watcher, so I had to spend an unusually exorbitant amount of time googling this + related images to get me in the loop.)
And... Voila!
To reinvent this, I sourced embroidered lace, hand dyed it naturally ( with strawberries!), and sewed the layers together to create the crown shape.


It was a real pleasure working with this client + bride-to-be (I've actually been pretty damn lucky with the brides I've worked with... no bridezillas, ever.)  This gal was enthusiastic, relaxed, and gave me creative freedom with this piece... making me one happy girl.

p.s. I've been in the process of revamping the content of this blog.  If you'd like to voice your opinion in this itty bitty survey, I'd love to hear it... Click HERE.

I Wish / I Am...

... nibbling on these...
.... in this spot...
... while wearing this...
... and reading these...


5/21/12

Happy Monday: Lemonade Edition

With Memorial Day + the mad rush into Summer right around the corner, I thought this nifty Lemonade DIY would be the perfect introduction.  What a great idea for a party or to have out when a few friends stop by.  Drink up!

[Image HERE]

5/18/12

Into the weekend...





This weekend a friend is in town from Denmark, so we'll be hanging with him and hopefully grabbing a yummy meal at one of my favorite restaurants.  On the side, I'll be finishing up this next batch of orders and then will allow myself a little bit of time to sit on the patio, under the sunshine, with a cup of tea, a book, and the dog beside me.
Have a sweet one, friends.
Love,
Cath

Birdcage by ben///giles

5/17/12

I Wish / I Am...

I'd like to wear this...


...while sipping on this (with a rock candy swizzle stick!)


...and sitting here...


... while reading this...


That would be a good time, don't you think?


(1) (2) (3) (4)

5/16/12

Today's little reminder...



Yes, okay.

And happy birthday to Mars the Dog!

Though I kind of suspect he hates birthdays, what with being forced to wear the hats for treats an' all.  But, and in my defense, he got an extra treat for this. 
(First image found HERE.)

5/15/12

What's your favorite?

I like to wear dresses (a lot).  But I have friends who never do, except for really special occasions or maybe first dates.  So that got me thinking... if you were going on a first date and wanted to wear a dress,which one of these would you choose?




I think I'd try on 5, then jump to 6, and then end up walking out the door wearing 3 at the last minute (and save 6 for date two.).  I'm normally not one to spend more than 10 minutes getting ready for anything, but first dates were a different story altogether.
These days, I like to pretend that everyday is a first date- choosing any of the above + adding my own swing to them.  But the husband really just prefers me in dickies and a t- shirt- no frills. Go figure.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

5/14/12

More materials!

I've been stocking the studio with a bunch more goodies.
I'm drooling just from the thought of what will soon be made out of all that's inside of these jars + boxes + rolls of everything wonderful.
Hang tight...  I'll be sharing some new designs in the coming weeks.
For now, it's back to organizing the stashes.

Oh, Monday.


Today it'll be soft soft pink + billowy cream...


+ some tea


That should ease me gently into a brand new work week.

Photos come from here + here + here

5/11/12

Into the weekend...

This weekend I'll be in project mode, as friend Steph calls it, mixing it up between orders (including a really unusually awesome custom bridal headpiece... more on that later.) and finalizing details for the Fall/Winter designs.  I think I'll also take Mars the Dog for a nice walk up to the Rose Garden + people (and dog) watch.
But, for now, for the mothers + mother figures of both humans and non-human animals, alike... I wish you a love fest from those around you on Mother's Day + beyond.




5/10/12

Oh my gosh.

How awesome.

Photo HERE.

Luminous goods.

A mix of pretty somethings...
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

5/9/12

Things I love today...

... some flowers



and Amy Poehler...



She's so wonderful.  Have you seen Parks and Recreation?  I'm re-watching the earlier seasons and I'm constantly chuckling. She's a great woman, that one. (AND she's from my home state of Massachusetts... what's not to love?)

[Photo 1 + 2]

5/8/12

Wooden Toys

Sometimes I wonder if my friends + family would just rather I not get their children gifts because nine times out of ten I'll buy something educational or art oriented or (mostly just) a toy not requiring batteries or remote control.  I dig the wooden ones with natural dyes + paints.  Besides, there's also just such a sense of nostalgia in wooden toys and I can't break my love for them.  Here are some neat ones I found here + there.
Wooden Toys
My favorite toys as a child were chalk boards, juicy markers, and things with buttons.  Oh, and my Strawberry Shortcake doll that blew strawberry kisses.  And a Big Wheel.  Okay, and forts.
What were yours?

Click here to be directed to their sources:


5/7/12

Pink + Black

            For your Monday...






5/4/12

Into the Weekend...

This weekend, I'll be finishing up on some custom orders.  But I'll also be encouraging myself to play hooky + take a drive down the coast to visit with friends.  The sunshine is kind of dancing today.  I like that.
Enjoy a beautiful one, friends.
Love,
Cath


Source: katespade.com via Erin on Pinterest

New vs. Vintage: Tomboy

Have you noticed the insane variety of stylin' outfits floating around?  I'm a picker and chooser- which means I don't typically aim to recreate an exact outfit I see, but certain parts of them might woo me.  In this more delicate version of a tomboy, for example, I really like the blouse + dark cuffed jeans + the red lipstick.  So then, for my own personal aesthetic, I'd likely switch out the shoes + purse + jewelry.  But I thought it might be fun to lay out a recreation of this outfit so you can pick and choose for yourself.  What catches your eye?

New + Pricey...
TomBoy: Two (New Designer version)




Vintage + A Happier Wallet...

TomBoy: One (Vintage Version)


I'm thinking of making this into a blog series... switching it up with a totally different outfit each week.  Let's see if I can get my act together for this.

TomBoy: Two (New Designer version) by cathmasi featuring low boots







5/3/12

Something sweet + tender.

+

It's the sort of day wherein these images need to be appreciated.

Source: [1] + [2]
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