SOCIAL MEDIA

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Street Style - Happy Birthday, Erin!

Good morning my sweet readers.

I will, in due time, have to create a page dedicated to "Street Style!" I love style - which, by the way does not always adhere to the strict laws of "au courant" couture - and, while I am sometimes stylish, unlike other lifestyle blogs I'd prefer to feature others -- perhaps, in the future I'll post me, too, but for now I'd like to capture the stars I see walking down the street (in homage to one of my heroes - Bill Cunningham of The New York Times) or in this case sitting next to me at the Melody Nail Salon.

I sat getting my nails done in the usual fashion with my usual nail professional, Thuy (pronounced: Twee). As we sat silently, I noticed a young woman sitting to my right. Her hair was sweetly coifed in Hollywood curls, she wore, what I thought was perhaps a couture sweater and next to her were propped a pair of stiletto black boots ("stiletto" as in tasteful pointed heel not "stiletto" as in hooker heel). The color she chose for her fingernails was classic retro red - appropriately festive!

I kept looking at her because she was like a little surprise - you know, like the money the tooth fairy leaves or the unexpected gift from a person you didn't think cared all that much or the temporary tattoo cracker jack prize. I felt a little giddy. I had to say something to her because 30 minutes into my appointment I was continuing to sneak looks at her. She was so adorable (insert French accent)! And if I hadn't said something I am certain she would've thrown down.  Since I merely begged her to be the star of my "Street Style" post she only thought me a wee bit daft! Phew!

Her name is Erin and she has a superlative (Wow! $10, please!) sense of style. She is also kind and, dare I say, pretty! And - BONUS - Today is her birthday! Happy Birthday, Erin,  from Poppies and Paperbacks! And, thank you!

By the way: Don't forget to check me out on La Bottine Couture, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook and the Facebook (if I knew how to use the damn thing there'd be just one, but I don't)!

Erin's hair, her sense of color and eye for tasteful accessories make for a ladylike though edgy ensemble. Sorry about the shadow on her eyes. 

I'll give you one guess as to which design house this sensational handbag lays claim to.

Via Spiga

Tiiffany! (I have them too - obviously Erin and I share a certain panache.)

The rings are Tiffany, also.

Erin's pretty hair and gorgeous Tory Burch sweater (See? It is couture!)

And the ruffled tie waist blouse coupled with the bobble here...so attractive!


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Pinterest - A Beginner's Guide

My love of the blogosphere and blogging is surpassed only by my love for Pinterest. Pinterest is a sensation to me that is perhaps my favorite past time at the moment. It is creative and stylized. It is also an exceptional social networking platform!  It fills my obsession for stuff that is pretty, funny, quirky, clever, unusual or just plain cool. But I have heard from several folks that it can be difficult to maneuver around the site.

So how about a wee tutorial?







  1. Go to www.pinterest.com
  2. Request an invite
    1. You'll receive an invitation in your inbox in a day or two.
  3. Then you will set up your account.
    1. You can set up your account with your email
    2. Twitter 
    3. or Facebook
      1. You will choose a display name
      2. And tell pinners a little bit about yourself.
  4. You will be prompted to create some pin boards
    1. Pinterest gives you five suggestions but you can change the names and add boards.
    2. For instance, I have 28 boards (and more than 1000 pins)!
  5. My boards are such:
    1. Basic Coolness: Sometimes I have a hard time cataloging something...then I put it here.
    2. Dream Home: I pin pics here of homes and parts of homes that inspire me.
    3. Home Libraries: I love this board. I'm a book whore so I guess it's understandable.
    4. Mirrors: This is the beauty of pinterest. I can pin whatever I want. I've made an entire board devoted to nothing but mirrors. I'm a Libra - we like twins and mirrors - something to do with balance.
    5. Gorgeous Gowns: I'm all girl; I love a pretty dress.
    6. The Table: I have a great love for entertaining. My mother creates a sumptuous table and the design of a table is an underestimated detail of a gathering.
    7. Mirth: (And one day part of the title for La Bottine) I pin anything here that makes me feel light hearted or puts a smile on my face. That's what Mirth is - gaiety or jollity especially when accompanied by laughter. 
    8. Gastronomy: Cooking, food, eating, cuisine, you know!
    9. Wedding Love: Where I can pin things from La Bottine and collect pretty wedding things.
    10. Crafting, Handmade and DIY: You know!
  6. The final directive is to seek things you love. In the search box if love kitties, type kitties. If you like graphic design, type design and so on. And if you have any questions, you can ask me anything!!!
Happy Pinning!

Other Pinterest resources: Savitri Wilder, You Tube, If You Ask Me and The Daily Digi (where I got my images here).




Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Time for New Critters - My First Music Mix

 As we cartwheel into 2012, I think a good old fashioned mix tape is in order. I'm sure you are querying about it's title but a critter need not be a sweet little hamster. Some critters can be the likes of new shoes, a new paint set or a new love. I hope you enjoy these songs...I do!

Photo Credit



Time for New Critters

  1. Velvet Elvis -Alex Winston
  2. Party Talk - Craft Spells
  3. Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club
  4. Original Sin - Geographer 
  5. Help I'm Alive - Metric
  6. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out - Dum Dum Girls
  7. Punching In a Dream - Naked and Famous
  8. 11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas
  9. Believer - Goldfrapp
  10. Ghost Inside - Broken Bells






Monday, December 26, 2011

All I Want for Christmas

Hi All!

I hope your Christmas was great! I can say that for myself it was great. So warn and wonderful to be around family.

I want to show you some pictures here of my Christmas table. I made the centerpiece with persimmons and pine and used a wee winter sleigh as the skeleton. The table cloth was thrifted and when I found it I almost peed. It is such a treasure...Vintage - Linen - Festive - Organic!!! I used salt and pepper cellars in addition to the vintage shakers also thrifted!

My Christmas Menu was, if I must say, the greatest meal I have ever made.  I suppose I should add recipes but for now I'd like to keep my recipes breasted.

I've also included a photo of the tree. And the earrings are hand made by Anna. I've also included a photo of Happy Goat Caramels. A treat that was gifted to Anna  - little gamey but unusual and interesting.

The menu was:

Pot Roast
Maple Roasted Winter Vegetable
Sausage, Mushroom and Apple Dressing with Apples and Sultanas
Challah Bread (not mine)
Scandinavian Almond Cake with Cranberry Compote
Persimmon Pudding












Saturday, December 24, 2011

Vintage Christmas Eve

I'm a little tired today. The holidays have taken their toll and now after buying for 8, I'll only be cooking for 5...both a blessing and a disappointment. I just miss the festiveness. But I wish blessings to all who couldn't make it here and especially to those who aren't with their families. Enjoy these little freebies!
Also, enjoy perusing the christmas oranament, bottle brush trees, ornaments from Etsy, and a tiny Vintage Santa.

Merry Christmas,
Gwen










Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Happy Hanukkah - Dad's Potato Latke's


  • Dad's Potato Latke's

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound potatoes
  • 1 finely chopped onion
  • 2 large eggs separated and beaten well
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup oil


  • Accompaniments: sour cream and applesauce

Directions:


Peel potatoes and finely grate with the use of a Cuisinart or food processor.

Peel and finely grate onion.
Squeeze all excess water from potato/onion mixture.
Spread grated potatoes and onion on a kitchen towel and roll up jelly-roll style. Twist towel tightly to wring out as much liquid as possible.
Separate eggs and beat whites and yokes separately. When beaten well, combine whites and yokes.
Transfer potato mixture to a bowl and stir in egg and salt.
Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 6 latkes, spoon 2 tablespoons potato mixture per latke into skillet, spreading into rounds. Reduce heat to moderate and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes. Turn latkes over and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Add more oil to skillet as needed. 






















Thursday, December 15, 2011

Wintry Scenes and Wonderful Sounds


Winter kitty and "Winter" by Joshua Radin


Monday, December 12, 2011

Frabjous Finds - Christmas Gift Guide

If you live in Sacramento, there are some amazing places to buy gifts!  But if you are discerning gift giver and you love charm, elegance and a homey feel with gads of awesome there is only one place to buy gifts -  and the best shoes ever! It's The Pink House run by sweet and savvy proprietor Peggy Orr. Peggy's first calling was non-profit and for those of you who remember she ran the Camellia Festival! Now, she curates this delightful store with oodles of style. The shoes she has are by well known design houses but are styles you simply cannot get at Nordstrom. Such brands include Seychelles, Irregular Choice, Naughty Monkey, Poetic License, Sasha London, J41, Mee Too and Nicole. She also carries wares from local designers and artisans.

ADA handbags and jewelry are by a local artisan whose compiled a collection of ladies decor that cannot be matched. Her handbags are supple and unique and her jewelry is contemporary and stylish. Plus, she has an amazing story. She is of Polish descent and was in Law School when she travelled to Argentina. She dropped out of law school to follow a calling for divine handbags.

The Pink house also carries Susan Knoff's felted pins seen on Peggy in the picture featured here. Recycled cashmere hates and scarves and Ann Deaver's hair accesories.

It was by accident that I found The Pink House but as cliche's go -- A Happy Accident. I'm headed there now for a pair of shoes that I simply can't stop thinking about! You should go too! Plus, Peggy provided sweet treats at the door! What's not to love?







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The lovely and sophisticated Peggy Orr.