ms. gingham

Grilled Peaches

2011-07-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

When I was a wee tot, my grandfather would pick my sister and I up from school and bring us back to his house where my grandmother would prepare an afternoon snack of a liberally buttered english muffins and luke warm cans of Sprite. Afternoon activities included but were not limited to:

1) Cribbage.
2) Rummy.
3) PBS gems like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, Reading Rainbow, and Square One.
4) Hanging out with my grandma in the kitchen while my grandpa snored in his favorite chair- New Yorker on his chest, beloved pug Suzie at his feet.

My grandmother did grandmothery things like bake pies, make jello salad, and can peaches. The giant peach tree in their yard produced so many peaches that multiple paper grocery bags brimming with ripe fruit would materialize on my parents front porch weekly. Ever since I was a little girl, peaches have been the taste of summer.

It seems others agree! Peaches are poppin' up right and left in the food world, and I'm particularly fond of the peach grillin' phenomenon. My girl Isa Chandra Moscowitz of the Post Punk Kitchen doles up a recipe for Grilled Peaches with Ginger Coconut Caramel that has me running for store. Can't wait to throw a few of these on the barbe!

Father to Son

2011-07-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am slightly embarrassed to admit I do not know how to grill a steak. As fond as I am of hop-scotching across boundaries, the gender divide of "women in the kitchen, men at the grill" persists in my family. My lack of BBQ chops comes up for two reasons:

1) 4th of July weekend is prime grillin' time, and I want to throw some meat on a fire!

2) A co-worker just handed me a book called "Father to Son: Life Lessons on Raising a Boy." One of the one-liner lessons is, "Teach him how to barbecue a steak. This is a right of passage."

While my dad missed the boat on this one, he hit quite a few of the Father to Son lessons. One, in particular, stood out to me, “Teach him the wonder of staring at the moon.”

In fourth and fifth grade my dad couched my AYSO soccer team. We won the championship both years. He taught me a couple of things over the course of those seasons:

1) 1) The honor and rarity of being a champion.

2 2) How to blow a snot rocket.

3) 3) The best offense is a good defense.

4) 4) If you’re not the fastest, you better be the smartest.

One night in the fall, practice was coming to a close. He gathered all the girls into a huddle and told us to look up at the moon. To this day, I’ve never seen a more glorious moon. He told us about the coyotes in the San Gabriel Mountains just to the north of us- he told us of their tenacity and stealth. Then, much to our surprise, he had us howl at the moon. For a good three minutes or so, 20 nine year old girls stood in a pack on a field howling at the moon. I will never forget that.

My father would have raised a good son, but instead he raised a great daughter. And sure, I can't grill a steak (yet!) but that's what this weekend is for. On Monday, as the men in my family gather around the grill and prepare to do their manly duty, I'll saunter up in my sweetest sundress and ask for a lesson.

Working on the Weekend

2011-06-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

I love this image of Courtney Adamo's desk. Since I just started a UCLA extension class in Interior Architecture (yay!), I'll be spending a large portion of my summer weekends at my desk. First things first- make my desk as pleasant a spot as this one.

Note the role of gingham fabric casually leaning against the wall. Cute cute cute. How come when I casually lean things it just looks like clutter, but here it looks fabulous and completely purposeful?

Working on the weekend isn't so bad when the work feels like play. Another step on the road of turning my avocation into a vocation. Quite the task, but Ms Gingham never backs down from a challenge!

Via design*sponge.

I Heart Redheads

2011-06-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing like sultry flowing locks of auburn goodness to make a lady go "oooo." Not only do these redheads (Kate Nash, Jenny Lewis, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine) have killer pipes, they've got attitude to boot.

It's quite lovely to see ladies writing pop-y songs without acting as rubber stamps for the lowest common denominator of pop star sensibilities. They rock out in rompers, throw down in concert, and have the audacity to declare themselves feminists! Oh, Kate Nash, how do I love thee, let me count the ways...

"Yes, I'm a feminist. I think everybody should be, because feminism is about equality of the sexes, which we all believe in, don't we?"-Kate Nash

Words for the Weekend

2011-06-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

I used to tell my father, as children do, that I was bored. He always responded with the same sentence, "Boredom is a self-induced state." Well pops, you were right.

Grab a pal and stir something up this weekend. Whether it's a batch of key lime coconut cake or some good old fashioned trouble, you certainly won't be bored!

The Roof is on Fire

2011-06-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Notions of 'The Home' are much broader than the physical structures occupying our mailing address. In the last four years I've lived in nine 'homes' spanning six cities and three countries. My propensity for the nomadic leads to extreme possession-cleansing at least once a year, often condensing everything I own down to 3 duffle bags and the cash from craigslist sales.

Each time I pare down, I have to assess the value of my stuff. This process is not dissimilar from the question posed by Foster R. Huntington on his blog The Burning House. He writes,

"If your house was burning, what would you take with you? It's a conflict between what's practical, valuable and sentimental. What you would take reflects your interests, background and priorities. Think of it as an interview condensed into one question."

Apparently, three contributors answered- GINGHAM!

Note: 1950's gingham romper

Note: gingham baby tunic

Note: gingham oxford by Polo (complete with red pony, neigh)

In looking at these neat amalgamations of what people would take with them, I started to think about all the fabulous items I have left in cities I once inhabited.

The hardest pills to swallow have been:

1) A 1950's gold velvet brocade love seat. It took me two years to find this baby. I hope someone's ass is happy.

2) My books. In the great purge of 2009 (which claimed the love seat as well) I waded through my book shelves and selected a few key reads. I brought only those books I truly loved with me to New Hampshire where they too were ruefully abandoned upon moving to Toronto not six months later. The books still in New Hampshire. They include but are not limited to: (a) paperback copy of Franny and Zooey I bought in a used bookstore at age 14, (b) Cindy Sherman coffee table book (c) Lynn Hejinian's My Life, (d) my father's copy of HOWL, (e) The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing.

3) Wrought iron hooks in the shape of roosters, pigs, and cows. They were the perfect hooks for my apron collection.

Of all the possessions I've left behind, there are a few that have made the cut each and every time. It seems I can not live without:

1) My down pillow, aptly named Squishy.

2) A set of ceramic mixing bowls my mother bought me when I moved into my very first apartment.

3) A small framed photograph of my best friend and I, age 16, at the beach.

If my house was burning down, I don't know if these would be the first items I'd grab on way down down the fire escape. However, there's something to be said for the little things that have made it through the past few years of cut throat downsizing and travel. Each time I cuddle up to my perfect pillow, make a batch of cupcakes in my mixing bowls, or look at the photo of Hannah and me, I feel I am at home.

The Wheels on the Bike

2011-06-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gents, this LA girl is trading four wheels for two on her daily commute! I could muse about the benefits of bikes vs. cars, but I think this image from my friend Colin, avid cyclist and self proclaimed Canadian nomad, really says it all.

If only I could afford a sweet euro-chic chariot from PUBLIC to take me to and from work in styyyle!

Little known fact about moi: I didn't really learn to ride a bike until I was eighteen. When my college compadre found this out, he decided to fill my childhood gap by having me mount a brakeless fixed gear approximately five inches too tall for me in a freezing parking garage next to our dorm. Needless to say, success was minimal.

Within a year I had rummaged a dilapidated but cute-ish blue bike more my size complete with functioning breaks and semi-functioning gears. After adorning my sweet ride with a wicker basket (for baguettes, flowers, and wine, of course!) I was on the road avoiding whizzing motorists with the grace of pregnant heifer. Perhaps now, many years later, I'll resemble something closer to a tipsy badger.

There's a rich history of social movements and bicycles that often gets boiled down to bloomers. Why? Because it's kind of funny to imagine bloomers as a catalyst for change. In fact they were, as women pulled on flouncy pantaloons so they could mount a bicycle without revealing themselves. Without bikes we might not have seen Katherine Hepburn in those fabulous trousers- a travesty indeed.

Now here's my question- do they make bloomers for pencil skirts?

Dinner Table

2011-06-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

Jcrew: Model Behavior

2011-06-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

If you thought this gal couldn't love JCrew anymore, you just got served. From chambray shirts to retro beach accessories, JCrew is a frequent contributor to Ms Gingham both on and offline. Their latest catalogue features fabulous clothes and even more fabulous models.

Feminist Fatale does a nice job of outlining JCrews awesome inclusiveness. In this years spring catalogue, staffers of varied size, race, and ethnicity work it in Jenna's picks. The best part? The lack of tagline prominently declaring just how fantastic it is that they are daring to show you something other than the stock model body type.

When magazines like glamour do special features on 'curvy' body types, it kind of makes me gag. Sure, it's great that a little variety is included. However, relegating women size 6-12 to a two page spread and shouting about how curvy they are while the rest of the magazine contains only traditional models makes the average woman seem exceptional, and not in a good way. Having real women as the minority in a magazine reinforces 'normal' models as the rule rather than the exception to it.

These women are h-o-t. And it's great that Glamour featured them, but are they really plus size and should they be the exception? Not so much. Of course JCrew has its imperfections- but on the model point I'd like to give credit where credit is due. Thanks JCrew.

FORTitude

2011-05-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous creation is an ideal place to cuddle in with nothing but a novel, a notebook, or a friend. Building little worlds within your home alters the space just enough to change everything.

An extremely social person by nature, sometimes I realize it's been days since I spent more than an hour on my own. Responsibilities to work, family, friends, and organizations have a tendency to pull me every which way. This feeling is not uncommon for most people, and I'd argue it's especially prevalent amongst women. Often from quite a young age, the behavior of pleasing, supporting, and comforting others is reinforced so strongly that women end up consciously or subconsciously trying to act as pillars for people in their lives rather than pedestals for their independent worth.

Everyone needs an oasis. As kids, we turn couch cushions into thrones, duvets into canopies, and cardboard boxes into caves. Our imagination spins ordinary objects into extraordinary lands where epic tails are written about our adventures. Forts, in particular, make excellent places to build new histories and futures sheltered from the watchful eyes of our parents who remind us of homework, soccer practice, or the untouched cello in the corner. As adults, responsibilities expand from math work sheets to credit card bills, and our imaginations often go from a rushing river to a trickling stream. All the more reason to create spaces where can escape into another world, even if that world is found in a book.

If you asked a pillar if its arms were tired, I'm pretty sure it would say yes. If you ask me if I'll ever stop supporting the people in my life, I would most certainly say no. Some of the greatest pleasures in life come from what we are able to give. However, giving more than you have to give isn't actually giving- it's taking away from yourself. Striking a balance is the trick- a task that isn't easy for anyone of any gender.

Finding time- and building spaces- that transport you to a world wholly your own can be oh-so-therapeudic and epically fun. Hit up design*sponge to see how this fort was made, or make it easier on yourself and try on of these classic moves:

1) Find a large cardboard box, turn it on its side, and sit in it. You'd be amazed what climbing into a cardboard box can do for the adult psyche.
2) Pitch a tent in your back yard and sleep there rather than your bed.
3) Play mermaid in your bath tub. Seriously, it's super fun!

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Stay cool this weekend with nostalgic Neopolitan pops, fresh strawberries, and layered sundaes.

JoJoël Penkman depicts three classic treats with grace and simplicity. A big high five to design*sponge for tipping me off to this treasure trove of food art.

Parade Route

2011-05-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

America loves parades, and so does Ms Gingham. Growing up in Pasadena meant looking forward to The Rose Parade every year. I distinctly remember watching the Royal Court float by with my seven year old eyes as I dreamt of donning the Rose Queen's regalia- gown, long white gloves and sky-high tiara. By the time I reached my senior year of high school I opted for a camping trip over princess try-outs, but I'll always have a fondness for parades.

A fan of having ones cake and eating it too, I do my best to achieve my princess-parade status in a slightly different way. Summer is parade/protest season, and I'm am brimming with giddiness over the upcoming Slutwalk LA and LA Pride Parade. I wrote about Slutwalk back in March, but here's a brief recap: Slutwalk began in response to some pretty horrific comments by a representative of the Toronto Police Department that basically boil down to this sweet advice: women can avoid sexual assault by not dressing like "sluts." This comment is bull-scheisse and served as a catalyst for a protest/parade movement that has since gone global.

On June 4th, West Hollywood streets will explode with Slutwalkers, many of which (hopefully) will be men. Hugo Schweizer lays down a gauntlet of reasons why men should march in Slutwalk, none of which have to do with the state of (un)dress the female participants may be in.

He points out that the comment made by the Toronto Police representative reveals just as much about societies perception of men as it does about societies perception of women. He writes, "I’ve come to believe that there’s one lie that’s bigger than any other we tell about men: we cannot reconcile our arousal and our compassion. In other words, the lie says we can’t truly respect what we also desire."

It's pretty sad to think that men can't reconcile their dicks with their ethics. Like Schweizer, I'm a believer that men have the capacity to be aroused by a woman's body while honoring her humanity. Is this such a stretch? I don't think so. I urge you- men, women, and everyone inbetween- to get your slut on. Not just in support of women, but in support of humanity.

I look forward to channeling my inner slut-princess with gold lamé, tiaras, and a whole lotta body glitter at Slutwalk LA. My ensemble will look something like this:

Probably not what my parents had in mind when they asked me if I wanted to be a parade princess, but this is a special parade and I am a very special princess.

Vegan Ranch Dip

2011-05-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to make this healthy (and vegan!) take on a BBQ classic- ranch dip! Isa Chandra Moscowitz of the Post Punk Kitchen knows how to pack a lotta flavor into a little bowl. I can imagine putting a hefty dollop on these Olive Lentil Burgers or simply shouting, "Please pass the crudités!"

Straight from Isa's fail-proof blog of vegan delights...Sanctuary Dip!

1 cup cashews, soaked in water for at least 2 hours, and drained
1 cup water
3 to 4 ounces extra firm tofu (1/4 of a typical package)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon agave
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vegetable broth powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon dried dill

Place cashews, water, tofu, lemon juice and agave in the blender. Puree until very smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula often to make sure you get everything. This can take up to 5 minutes depending on the strength of your blender.

Add the onion powder, veg broth powder, garlic powder and salt, and pulse to combine. Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix in the dried dill. Taste for salt and seasonings. Seal tightly and chill for at least an hour. The longer you let is chill, the firmer it will get.

Before serving, taste one last time and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve!

At the Gas Pump

2011-05-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

As gas prices climb steadily north of $4 a gallon, there's not a lot one can do to ease the pain of filling up...or is there? Everyone deserves to shake their head while shelling out hard earned cash for a substance we all know is not mother natures absolute favorite. But after you've had a solid moment of self-pity, suck it up and find the bright side.

If you're gonna fill up (and if you're in LA, you are) why not do it in style?

Take a cue for my lovely friend Jacq and slip into something adorable to pump your gas. Cheek grazing dark denim, keds, ray bans, and a little vintage gingham makes pumping gas less painful, and maybe even a little bit fun.

I love the William Eggleston's use of color in this 1950's gas station photograph. Eggleston was on the forefront of printing techniques for color photography. It's lovely to think that this image was crafted with the swish swish of developer rather than the click click of a mouse. Did you catch his show at LACMA? I sure did!

Salt & Pepper

2011-05-17T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am blessed with an abundance of fabulous friends. However, since I've lived in five major cities a big percentage of my inspiring loved onces live in other time zones.

When you leave a city, you expect to keep in touch with the people you were closest with. Sometimes you're even lucky enough to maintain a relationship with those you never got to know quite as well as you would have liked. One such gem, Jonathan Morton-Schuster, was a colleague of mine during my stint in Toronto. He self describes as, "Skinnier than a whippet. Madder than a march hair." and I tend to agree. The only things that rivals this performance artist/TV personality/dancing diva's lithe limbs are his wit, talent, and twitter account.

Today, Johnathan's tweet reminded me that it's International Day Against Homophobia. Naturally, I started thinking about salt and pepper shakers. I love they way salt and pepper shakers bring a little love to any table. The sets always seem to be nuzzling and cuddling one another, even if they're a table runner apart.

Totally Lesbians.

SOO androgynous.

Gayest fruit ever.

Love comes in a lot of funky shapes and sizes- isn't that magical? You can catch Jonathan's hilarity on One Girl Five Gays or on a stage near you (if you're in Toronto, that is).

Put a little salt in your baby's pepper with these fabulous sets found on Etsy: Cow Salt and Pepper Shakers, S & P in a Tree, Strawberries.

GOODie Bags

2011-05-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

While trotting around downtown Laguna Beach over Mother's Day weekend, I noticed a plethora of vintage inspired shops. My sister, the ultimate candy-gal, made a b-line for The Candy Baron. This old fashioned candy shoppe is chockablock with barrels of hard-to-find taffies, gummies, jawbreakers, and licorice sticks.

This treasure trove of treats reminded me of my childhood days when I would leave a birthday party with a goodie bag rather than a hang over. There's nothing sweeter than a handful of colorful candy wrapped in cellophane and tied with a grosgrain ribbon. Except, maybe, a goodie bag that does a little good.

A few doors down I discovered a shop selling burlap bags in all shapes and sizes silk screened with a simple word and a worthy mission- FEED.

The FEED Project, turns bag sales into meals for children in the developing world. What makes FEED different is the direct correspondence between the item you purchase and the charitable outcome. This bag bears a number '1' and provides one child with school lunches for a one year. Another, with the number '100' printed on it, provides one hundred school lunches for children in Rwanda. With a selection of FEED bags ranging from farmer's market totes to high fashion clutches, the variety rivals The Candy Baron's assortment of flavors for every taste bud.

[Unfortunately Ms Gingham lost her memory card with original Candy Barron and FEED photos on it! Thank you to Town Goodies and The Find for lending me yours!]

Flower Gal

2011-05-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

As a new but undeniably enthusiastic devotee of swing, I make my way to the dance floor at the Pasadena Masonic Temple every Thursday for Lindy Groove. Here the dancing is truly social: gentlemen ask, ladies say yes, and you muddle along the best you can until the song comes to a close and you start all over again. Ages and skill levels range from fresh to seasoned, which is one of the reasons it's a rolicking good time for all.

Last week Lindy Groove took on Cinco de Mayo flair with an old fashioned soda fountain serving dulce de leche ice cream floats. More than ever, ladies sported a veritable garden of flowers in their hair. Women and flowers are two of the most beautiful things in the world- put them together and I'm a smitten kitten. There's a long history between babes and begonias, but here are a few of my favorites:

Billie Holiday rarely performed without magnolias in her coiffe.

The only thing Rockabilly girls love more than a man in a black leather jacket

is Ms Bettie Page and her clip-in bosoms, I mean blossoms.

Frida Kahlo with her signature flowers.

Naughty-but-nice Drew Barrymore with oh-so-90's daisies.

This wide array of ladies shows that flowers in your hair are not just for when you're going to San Francisco, there's a bud for every type of occasion and every type of woman.

Fresh flowers are tougher to keep intact, but they feel etherial and/or Woodstock-esque depending on where you are and what you're wearing them with. Fabric or plastic hair flowers (like this one from DeeDees Boutique) are a nice alternative, and really the only option when spinning across a lindy dance floor. Secure with two crossing bobby pins, show off your pearly whites, and prepare to kick your heels up in style.

The New Domestic

2011-05-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

The sun is out, the birds are chirping, it's Thursday in South Pasadena and you know what that means...Farmer's Market time! But what oh what will I lovingly tote my legumes home in this week? Hopefully, a tote from The New Domestic!

The New Domestic recently launched their first line of totes big enough to handle a farmer's market haul. I've been reading their blog for a little while, and am oh-so-pleased to be able to purchase a little piece of their point of view.

The above photos are perfect examples of why The New Domestic caught my eye. Boating! Picnics! Wellies! Cableknit! Classic, but never stuffy, The New Domestic uses bright colors and snazzy patterns to jazz up every inch of life. The mastermind behind it all is Nerrisa, a Canadian design maven turned mommy who began blogging as a way to document her life in a new home her new tot named Luna. How cute is she?

The bags ring in at $36.00, well worth it for something functional made with love.

S'muffins Take Over the World!

2011-05-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a good old fashioned campfire. One of my favorite things about working at The World Fellowship Center in NH (Noam Chomsky will be there this summer!) was the late night gatherings around a giant fire pit. Between Pete Seeger songs we'd gab, swig, and roast marshmallows to crispy gooey perfection before topping them with a square of Hershey's chocolate and smooshing them between two crisp graham crackers.

The recipe for s'mores was first published in the 1927 edition of Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Now known for their delicious cookies (PS did you know they have a Girl Scout cookie iPhone app?!) it's no surprise that a group known for all american confections gave us the s'more.

While I am dedicated to the original, a new incarnation of this campfire treat has arrived on the scene...introducing...THE S'MUFFIN!

Brought to you by Gotta Have S'more, the s'muffin takes all things s'more and layers them into an adorable muffin shaped treat. The original contains graham cracker crust, melted Hershey's chocolate, and toasted marshmallow, though variations are created daily. With flavors like Crème de Menthe, Cookies ‘n Crème, and most recently, a chocolate covered variety, there's a s'muffin for everyone and every occasion.
Apparently s'muffins are even making a foray into the wedding market, though I'd be hesitant to put all my s'muffins in one basket unless I was throwing a woodsy fête where they'd add to the theme.

While s'muffins will set you back a pretty penny, it's nice to know that a portion of the proceeds goes to Women for Women International, an organization that helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives. You can purchase s'muffins in 4 packs ($10.50) or by the dozen ($27.95) online, or venture to The Platine Bakery, The Oaks Gourmet Market, or The Nosh of Beverly Hills to greet your sweet treat in person.

After eating your first s'muffin (preferably microwaved for 10 seconds) the only thing you'll be able to say is, "give me s'more!"

Vintage Dresses: Whirlingturban

2011-05-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

While cruising one of my regular wedding blogs, Offbeat Bride, I came across a link promising a rare and special breed: vintage taste and modern fit. Whirlingturban did not disappoint. This fabulous little company manufactures 40's and 50's style dresses in your choice of fabric and to your fit specifications. Here are three of my favorite styles on tap:

Wing Bust Dress

Peggy Would Dress

Shaheen Dream Dress

A few occasions when these dresses are just right:

1) Swing dancing at Lindy Groove.

2) Tea at The Huntington Library.

3) Your exes wedding at which you must look like a truly classic bombshell.

4) Making french toast angel food cake.

5) Reclining on a chaise.

I Scream, You Scream...

2011-04-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

..we all scream for ice cream! There are a lot of treats I can pass up, but ice cream isn't one of them. Last night after a fairly healthy meal of seared scallops and arugula, I felt the warm breeze blow and knew it was time for my first seasonal ice cream outing of the year. Funky flavors like bacon/jalapeno cheddar, brown brown bread, and vegan pistachio dominate at LA favorite Scoops and its new friend Scoops Westside. Scoops fills your bowls with exotic of sweet nothings that never disappoint. I opted for brown brown bread, Scoops' mainstay, and didn't leave a single drop behind. I especially love Scoops' attention to texture (mine had little bits of grape nuts in it!) since a little crunch goes a long way. Check out these photos of the Scoops Westside's grand opening from The Minty!

While I love off-beat confections, I'm a old fashioned girl at heart. Nothing makes my heart go pitter patter like the sing-song bell of an ice cream truck rounding the corner selling nothing but vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream on a cake cone. Below, a young family waits for ice cream on Ainsdale beach in northwest England.

The photo comes from a fabulous series in Foreign Policy depicting Street Eats from around the globe. The slideshow contains images from around the world of people eating outside. From grape vendors in Kabul to the local markets amidst the violence in Ivory Coast, the images burgeon with color and flavor. What a treat!

The Cast Iron Age

2011-04-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Ms Gingham has a healthy respect- nay love- for tradition. My family spends every Easter eating cucumber sandwiches, drinking bloody mary's, and playing croquet for resurrection's sake! On Sunday, after the little ones finished hunting for eggs and the last lemon-coconut cupcake was devoured, I untied my espadrille wedges, plunked down on the couch, and got to thinking.

My mind wandered to the way family, and particularly women, pass traditions and guidelines for living from generation to generation. I could go all Negative Nancy on it and discuss how mothers train their daughters to be good little house wives, but that's not really how I roll. Instead I aspire to cherish the little life lessons, recognize their context, appreciate them for what they are, and pick and choose how I integrate them into my life.

What does this have to do with the photo below? Good question. The answer is CHARTREUSE CAST IRON!!

Castiron skillets last forever, often for multiple generations. However, one can't pick up a cast iron skillet and use it properly without a little coaching. One must learn to properly season and clean it so its full potential may be reached. My great-grandmother taught my grandmother, my grandmother taught my mother, my mother taught me, and I'll teach my offspring regardless of their gender. That's just my style.

Speaking of style, I love the side-by-side cast iron pans in this image. On the right we have old faithful, and on the left we have an updated version (presumably Le Creuset's 10 inch square grill pan in Lemongrass). It's like mother and daughter are just hanging out on the wall, chatting about their day on the old Wolf stove.

We see this balance continued in the combination of weathered wood paneling and the lovely piercing blue wall. Leave it to design*sponge to seek out a kitchen with the perfect blend of this and that.

Easter in Pasadena

2011-04-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

My Favorite Thing

2011-04-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

I love squishing under my duvet on a chilly evening. I love reading the Sunday NYT and drinking and entire pot of coffee at the kitchen table. I love organizing fresh groceries in my fridge and cupboards in the most aesthetically pleasing manner. I love drinking a glass of wine in the bath after a long day. I love watching morning light break through my kitchen window. But my favourite thing- really truly my favourite- thing to do in my home is share a meal with friends.

from design*sponge

A Day in St. Malo

2011-04-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Down the coast about two hours from Los Angeles (but a world away) is a small gated community founded in 1929 called St. Malo. Charming homes built to mimic St. Malo's French namesake are unassumingly tucked away in Oceanside Ca with communal tennis courts and a private beach. St. Malo began as a low profile getaway for high profile LA families in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's. This is not a place to see or be seen, rather a place to live and let live.

Last weekend a few friends and I hopped in a mini and headed south for a weekend in St. Malo. A lover of both beach and brunch, Saturday morning was quite the treat. After rousing ourselves from our comforters, we paraded off to grab coffee at Kona and stock up on rations at the 1950's staple Red and White Market.

Back at the ranch we whipped up eggs with scallions and avocado, applewood smoked bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and sucked it all down with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Add three newspapers to the mix and I'd say that's a pretty good start to the day.

After noshing and lounging all day, a walk on the beach was in order. We took off barefoot and headed for the sand to breath in a little ocean air. What a way to spend the weekend....

Blender Bender

2011-04-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

I'm in a fight with my blender. It only has one job- to blend my morning smoothie of frozen berries, greek yogurt, ground flax seeds, and protein powder. It doesn't have to juggle career, family, friends, and a burgeoning interest in swing dancing! It only has to twirl and whirl my breakfast into a deliciously smooth beverage that I can consume on mornings when I can't get out the door fast enough.

I wish this was my blender. With so many fun friends, it certainly wouldn't fail me!

Slutwalk

2011-03-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

I love a good protest. Not the kind where you carry lackluster picket signs and smoke a j on the lawn, but the innovative type that strikes at the heart of the matter. One such protest- Slutwalk Toronto- will occur on Sunday April 3rd. Men, women, queers and queens will strut their slutty stuff from Queen's Park South to the Toronto Police Headquarters at 40 College Street.

Slutwalk is a direct response to a comment made by a Toronto Police officer on January 24th, 2011 in a public forum on avoiding sexual assault. His advice? "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."

Sweet.

This kind of BS perpetuates the myth and stereotype that sexual assault is a) the survivor's fault, b)about what you wear, and c) about sex. In a nutshell, sexual assault is about power and certainly needs to be taken out of this victim-blaming discourse STAT. Sexual assault is already a severely under-reported crime, and comments like this give people even less reason to go to the police.

You've heard of taking back the night, well now we're taking back the slut. A traditionally pejorative term, 'slut' is joining the roster of re-appropriated terms (gay, queer, faggy etc.). The organizers of Slutwalk write:

We are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result. Being in charge of our sexual lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of violence, regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or work. No one should equate enjoying sex with attracting sexual assault...WE ARE COMING TOGETHER. As people from all gender expressions and orientations, all walks of life, levels of employment and education, all races, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all points of this city and elsewhere.

Since I'll be in LA during Slutwalk, I plan to videochat myself in wearing nothing but latex, Louboutins, and a smile. Will you join me?

Weekend Soundtrack: Foster the People

2011-03-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

As Friday wanes, let's slip-slide our way into the weekend with this groovy track by LA's own Foster the People. They killed it at SXSW and are set to take the stage at this years Coachella sweat-fest. This song is the perfect soundtrack for whipping up a delicious batch of Overnight Challah French Toast for weekend house guests!

Hope you whistle your way through the weekend!

Rainy Day Real Estate

2011-03-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Ever since the sky started falling last weekend, Los Angeles has been grey, cold, and drenched. On Sunday, I was hemming and hawing about having to drive from Beverly Hills to downtown LA in the torrential downpour when I realized that tens of thousands of people were running 26 miles in the same weather at that very moment.

Rather than rocking out in neon athletic wear (which seemed to be quite the rage on Sunday- check out this guy's shoes!) I opt for something a little more earthy on my rainy day excursions.

I came across this Missoni umbrella on my favorite designer discount site--aptly named Gilt--yesterday. The colors and textures threw me into a tailspin of rainy day styling. Sometimes it's tough to make earth tones seem more spring than fall, but a little chambray from Jcrew (a STAPLE for summer 2011) keeps this ensemble feeling like April rather than October. Closed toe wedges are walkable and give the extra height necessary to pull off these bright wide leg trousers from Anthropologie. A retro cape from Modcloth keeps you stylishly dry and offers a nice twist on the classic trench. Top it all off with fingerless driving glovelettes, a sparrow dotted satchel, a pair of tickets to the theater, a hot date, and your set!

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

One of the original bombshell babes, Elizabeth Taylor is synonymous with glamor. Drape yourself in diamonds, stain your lips red, and paint the town gold in honor of this style icon.

RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932- March 23, 2011).

Welcome to the Neighborhood

2011-03-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago, I moved into a new living space. It's not a co-housing situation, but this once-PBR Brewery turned artist-loft-complex boasts a community feel. I thought that getting to know the neighbors would be a cinch, but it's proving a more difficult feat than I anticipated.

On occasion, I considered slipped a letter like this underneath everyone's door. Instead, I opted for a more old fashioned approach. I lined these polka dot chinese food containers with wax paper and filled them with homemade vegan mexican hot chocolate snickerdoodles. I tied each package up with a ribbon and included a note that read, "If you ever need a cup of sugar, I'm Kate and I just moved into apartment __"

I realize that it is customary for those who already live IN the building to bring goodies to new comers. However, sometimes one has to get the old-fashioned welcome wagon rolling before others will hope on board!

Irish Soda Bread

2011-03-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

Some people eat green pancakes (freaks me out) or drink their weight in Guinness on St. Patricks Day. I, a proper Irish lass, prefer to celebrate by baking traditional Irish soda bread and then drinking my weight in Guinness.

Recipe from A Bird in the Kitchen

Irish Soda Bread

adapted from Cooks Illustrated

3 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

¼ cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

4 tablespoons butter, divided

1 ½ cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400 ⁰F

Whisk together flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and kosher salt. Work 3 tablespoons butter into mixture with a pastry blender or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the buttermilk and stir until just combined. Knead in the bowl until the dough just starts to come together and is still craggy and bumpy, adding more buttermilk if necessary. Do not overknead or the bread will be tough and dense. Tuck the ends under to form a ball and place in a skillet or dutch oven. Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes or until internal temperature registers 180⁰F. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and brush onto the loaf. Let cool to room temperature.

David Hockney

2011-03-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a piece of art reveals itself to you at just the right moment. Sometimes it reminds you of something you already know, affirms something you are just figuring out, or breaks a mental boundary at an apropos moment.

At this minute, my dear friend Harry is stretched out on my couch becoming the next great American playwright. 10 minutes ago, we were reflecting on similar patterns in our love lives. Five minutes ago, I read a poem called Window Pain by Jem Goulding that synthesizes the core of that conversation into a beautiful little package. The poem came to me at just the right moment, providing a little artful mirror in matters of the heart.

Before I moved back to Los Angeles, I lived in snowy Toronto. One winter day, I was talking to a coworker about missing California. On the way home, I saw a billboard of David Hockney's quintessentially Californian Mulholland Drive: The Road to the Studio.

Encountering the vibrant vista complete with tennis courts, pool, palm trees, rolling hills, and the perfect convertible-ready road made me realize that California would always be home. The hues are in my blood. Now that I'm back in sunny SoCal, I occasionally head to LACMA (when it's free!) and visit the massive painting that reminded me to look to my roots to find my future. Plus, who doesn't look and feel better sun kissed and freckled? Not I!

A few more of my Hockney favorites:

"A Bigger Splash" 1967

"Peter Getting Out Of Nick's Pool"

"Hollywood Hills House" 1981-82

In this crazy iPad world, sometimes it's good to remember that arts love above apps. When was the last time you stood in front of a painting and really listened? I sat, get thee to an art museum!

Frying Pan Delight

2011-03-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

This photo comes to you from my favorite Torontonian, comic blogger, and songstress extraordinaire Ms. Mallory Bey! Right now she's in the studio recording her debut album that promises a perfect balance of clever whimsy and soulful twang.

While she's not strumming her guitar and making ladies and gents pick their jaws up off the floor, she hunts for covetous kitchen finds. She recently acquired a fabulous yellow cast iron skillet and put it right where it belongs- out in the open! A pan as pretty as this simply cannot be shoved willy-nilly into a cabinet. Nobody puts baby in a corner!

Retro Beach Bonanza

2011-03-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Oooo summertime! As temperatures warm up and spring/summer catalogues fill my mailbox, I can't help but dream of long days spent reading at the beach. There are oh-so-many potential beach/poolside looks to channel. One of my favorites is good old fashioned American fun! This look makes me want to put the top down and sing Springsteen songs all way to the ocean. Like The Boss, straw hats, red/white/navy stripes, Wayfarers, polka dots, and espadrilles are American classics. And if there's one thing Ms Gingham loves, it's an American classic!

Panama Hat- Jcrew $58.00
XL Beach Bag- Lucy Jane Studio on Etsy $37.50
Beach Blanket Bingo Polka Dot One Piece- Modcloth $89.99
Original Wayfarar- Ray Ban $139.00
Sardinia Wedge Espadrille- Jcrew $118.00

Ballerina Hepburns

2011-03-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

If it's wrong to want these lusciously constructed flats in all four colours, I don't want to be right. Sweden strikes again!

Ballerina Hepburns by Swedish Hasbeens CO Unruly Things

Paint Schmaint

2011-03-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

It's Friday and you know what that means...the weeeeekend!! Have you been meaning to get creative but haven't found the time as of late? Maybe it's time to open a bottle of wine, put on a record, and splash a little paint around!

This weekend- dare to fail. Paint like no one will ever see the finished product, because let's face, that's probably true, and KIND OF LIBERATING!

Photos by painter Lily Stockman of her latest palette inspiration. Check out her work at the Big Bang Studio.

Thursday Lessons from My Mother

2011-03-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

Thursday means two very important things:

1) Weekly grooming rituals. My mother is adamant that one night a week be dedicated to grooming. How else are you going to keep your eyebrows from becoming caterpillars, your nails and toes polished in a cherry hue, and you hair and skin deep conditioned?

Mother taught me that leaving these things up to chance was never good idea, and mother knows best! What if (surprise!) you are invited to a black tie gala at the last minute and you need to be ready in 30 minutes? No time to polish, pluck, and buff then! Always be prepared...oh mom, you are so wise.

2) Preparing for, if you're lucky, a long weekend of dinner parties. Another lesson from my mother: a guest should never show up empty handed. Thursday evenings I like to pick what I'll bring to each event I am attending that weekend. Sometimes a bottle of wine or small host/ess gift is just right. However, when someone close to you is throwing a fete it's always considerate to offer to bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert.

Saturday evening my lovely sister is throwing a little dinner party at her tree house in Silverlake to welcome a friend back to the great city of Los Angeles. I offered to bring an appetizer so today is the day to narrow down my choices. So far, these are the contenders:

Spinich Pancakes with Mint Lime Yogurt Sauce from Five and Spice

Stuffed Mushrooms with Fresh Herbs from Make Life Delicious..

Southwest BLT Crostini from Mommie Cooks.

I'll let you know what I end up making and share photos of its creation after-the-fact. Luckily all of my choices are quite simple and easy to transport. Always something to consider!

Sunsets and Powerlines

2011-03-02T11:35:00.000-08:00

Molly Lambert captures one of my favorite examples of beauty derived from contrast. Here, the natural and the man made engage in a conversation that is rather beautiful, don't you think?

Kitchen Love: Nostalgia Stools

2011-03-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

Love the art school stools and Montreal nostalgia brick. Anyone watch Friday Night Lights?

Clean Lines, Bright Hues, Can't lose!

From Design*Sponge.

Celine Vs Louis Vuitton

2011-02-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

I believe equally in the power-apron and the power-suit. A skirt that twirls can make me feel like light and fluffy whipped cream and a lapel that cuts just-so can make me feel like the hottest of chili peppers.

Epic fashion blogger The Sartorialist took on this question of gendered dressing (in the tame non-trans-identity sense) when he posed the following observation regarding two of Spring's stand out collections. He writes, "Most of the reactions I heard were that Celine was what a woman wanted to be. Louis Vuitton was the woman a man wanted to be with." He tested his theory by opening the question to the hundreds of thousands of chic women and men who follow his blog.

Celine

Most commenters agreed with The Sartorialist's assessment, but a few stand outs pointed out what is blaringly obvious to me- WE ARE BOTH!

Kimmy Scotti who writes:

Why do we have to choose? Id like to think I am both a Celine & Louis Vuitton woman...Celine is my day/office style and LV represents my weekend style!

My dear Kimmy, you couldn't be more right. Often the moods coincide with the work/play dichotomy, but not exclusively. Exclusively choosing between life as an Louis Vuitton lady and a Celine fox would be like asking me to choose between chocolate chip cookies and coq au vin for the rest of my life- -impossible!

Rain Drops on Roses

2011-02-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

And whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my rainy day things!

Excellent for a little puddle plashing: Sperry Top-sider Shearwater Boot $168.00

Translation: "Shit it's raining." Ubiquitous in Montreal, and only $45 Canadian! Buy Here.

Classic rainy day movie with ultimate costume reverance: Klute (1971). Available on DVD.

Perfect day for hand crafts: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Knitting.

Beet Greens and Potato Hash

2011-02-15T15:31:00.000-08:00

OMG NEW YORK TIMES MY MOUTH IS WATERING!

1 pound red boiling potatoes or baby Yukon golds, cut in small dice (about 1/2 inch) [I'm going to try sweet potatoes too!]

1 bunch beets, roasted, peeled and cut in small dice (about 1/2 inch) [Beets are AMAZING! Just don't freak out when your pee is pink!]

1 generous bunch of beet greens, stemmed and cleaned in 2 changes of water

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon vinegar — sherry, red wine or Champagne (optional) [mmm champagne...]

Poached eggs, if desired, for serving (optional) [Don't know how? Check out this how-to video!]

1. Place the diced potatoes in a steamer above an inch of boiling water. Cover and steam for 10 minutes. Add the beet greens to the steamer, and steam for five minutes until wilted; turn them halfway through so they cook evenly. Turn off the heat underneath the steamer. With tongs, remove the greens to a bowl, and rinse them with cold water. Drain, squeeze out excess water and chop. Set the potatoes aside.

2. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the potatoes, turn the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring from time to time, until the potatoes are lightly browned, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic, beets, greens, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for another five minutes, pressing the mixture down into the pan so the edges brown. Taste, and adjust salt and pepper. Stir in the vinegar if using. Serve, topped with a poached egg if desired.

Yield: Serves four to six.

Nutritional information per serving (four servings): 221 calories; 1 gram saturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 36 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 295 milligrams sodium (does not include salt to taste); 6 grams protein

Valentines Day Ensemble

2011-02-14T15:52:00.000-08:00

Heading out for a night on the town with your luva or sloshing back a few dirty martinis on your own tonight? Either way, you'll look great in this romantic ensemble:

Latte Heart-Dress $49.99, Haute-Coat-ure $449.99, Pot of Gold Heels $89.99 (all from Modcloth), DNKY Nude Fishnets $14.50, Annanel Ingall Paillette Pleated Clutch $168.00 (both from Nordstrom).

Silverlake Sunshine

2011-02-13T13:37:00.000-08:00

The sun was out in full glorified force in Los Angeles this weekend. My sister and I meandered to the patio at Local in Silverlake for whole wheat Belgian waffles and freshly juiced vegetables.

The juice consisted of: celery, carrots, beets, and green apples. The green apple added a nice refreshing tang, though I could have done with a spot of ginger in there too. This drink represents my first foray into the juicing trend. While I'm trying to keep an open mind, I can't help but think the contents of my glass would have been far tastier and much more satisfying eaten whole from a plate rather than pureed and sucked through a straw.

Loft Living

2011-02-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a giant hunk of rough-hewn wood to make an expansive space feel cozy. Ms Gingham recently moved into a PBR brewery turned art colony that is mostly made of cement and metal. I absolutely adore my industrial space with its exposed pipes, square footage, and paint-splatter-friendly cement floors, but my new lofty living lacks the innate hominess my previous abodes had.

Architect Preston Scott Cohen's vacation home shows how rough-hewn wood can grant an expansive and potentially impersonal space a dollop of rustic warmth.

This combination of sleek modernity and country bumpkin flavor-- epitomized by the metal chairs surrounding the long wooden table-- is the intersection of tastes I'm aiming for in my new space. Will Ms Gingham be able to strike the balance between the old and the new? Why, she's faced that conundrum before (and never backs down from a challenge)!

Photos courtesy of Dwell.

Love is in the Kitchen

2011-02-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Love is always in the air, and the best way to express it is always in the kitchen-- or on top of the counter and against the fridge.

Some people see Valentine's Day as a time to exchange overpriced heart-shaped jewelry to their pseudo-boy/girlfriend during a candlelit dinner of lobster tails and Veuve Clicquot. For those of you out there with a singular someone- go forth and be indulgent!

Those of you happily flying solo (like myself) I challenge you to think of Valentine's Day as an opportunity to reflect on all the love you have in your life rather than as a slap in your pretty single face. My beloved sister has been making handmade Valentines (the kind with magazine clipping of flowers and glue sticked doilies) every year since I can remember. When I was abroad at University it was always such a treat to receive her paper kisses in the mail box every February 14th. This year I'm aspiring to send all my loved ones a snail mail smooch, and maybe even their favorite baked treat!

The ladies at Big Girls Small Kitchen (who recently redesigned their website with a great gingham background!) inspired me with these cute heart shaped measuring spoons and Chocolate Raspberry Mini Brownie recipe. I'll be whipping up the magical minis tonight so they can be boxed and shipped to my nearest and dearest tomorrow. Toss in a note on a cute letterpress card like this one from Steel Petal Press on Etsy and I'm set!

Gingham Breakfast

2011-02-08T08:38:00.000-08:00

Don't have time to make the most fabulous, involved, aesthetic breakfast? Take 60 seconds to set a simple yet attractive table and poor your coffee into a pretty mug instead of the chipped one missing a handle you've been using lately (I see everything!). A little table top pizazz makes boring eggs seem like a treat. When possible, utilize the darling checks that started it all- gingham! Yummy in my country tummy!

Pay the RENT!

2011-01-26T16:54:00.000-08:00

Ex-camp counselor, friend, blogger, and puppy lover Kate Sullivan is asking you to help her pay the RENT (or at least fund her upcoming production of the fabulous musical)! As an advocate for home-grown art and the limitless talent of this gorgeous woman, I have donated a modest sum and you should too!

DONATE HERE
Kate is using the magical fundraising power of Kickstarter which helps artists raise money for creative projects. The catch with Kickstarter is that they will only fork over the dough if you meet 100% of your fundraising goal. If not, you get nada. This means every dollar counts- in a BIG way.

Now I know there's a recession on (13% unemployment in CA- ouch!) so I have a few ideas for those of you without $5 in your bank account to spare:

1) Have a good old fashioned bake sale! It's amazing what you can whip up from the back corners of your cupboard. Plunk some treats like these in a wicker basket, walk around your office charging $1 a piece, toss in a wink and a smile for free, and you'll be rollin' in ones before the bell rings 5!

2) Get your guitar, banjo, harmonica, bagpipes, spoons, or bucket drum and hit the pavement! Busking never goes out of style.

3) Sell something on eBay. Just not your virginity. As if that's an option. You whore.

In For Spring

2011-01-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

Bundled inside watching snow pile quietly outside your window? Not for Ms Gingham! It was clear skies and 80+ degrees in LA this weekend. Prime time for a preemptive weekend of: top-down jaunting to the Melrose Trading Post to browse for vintage sunglasses with my sister, basking on Silverlake Coffee's patio while reading Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, and leisurely running around the Rose Bowl in shorts and a tank top. The early arrival of June weather also meant a spring fashion preview that screamed 1992 louder than Winona ever could.

Every waif in a gentrified neighborhood was sporting asscheek-grazing floral mini dresses with granny boots. If a stiff breeze (or even a flaccid one) should blow through these parts it's HELLO SAILOR for these ladies! Skirt length (or lack there of) has upped the ante on classy underpinnings. I say go gingham with these little rompers from Naomi Lingerie's Etsy shop based in Vancouver.While you're at it, why not throw in a matching bralette and eye mask just because?

Cutesy panties $35.00, matching bralette $40.00, sleep eye mask $19.00

While I understand that this look has been on it's way back for some time, I'm not thrilled about its ubiquitousness. If it's hot enough to wear a teeny dress, why the hell would you have boots on? The logic just isn't there. Personally, I'd rather skip the dress and shoes all together and romp around the garden in my gingham skivvies with a white wine spritzer. Any takers?

Tie Me Up

2011-01-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

Bows, bows, bows! There's nothing sweeter. This clutch from Les Composantes is high quality ladylike chic. Do something funky with your coif, lace up your brogues, add a dash of red lipstick, and nobody will get in your way.

Bonus? You can switch out the structured leather bow for a scarf any day of the week. That's infinite bag swapping potential! Many thanks to Oh Joy! for giving Ms Gingham the heads up on this luxurious find.

Amy Butler: Fabric Heaven

2011-01-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

Today I purchased two fabrics from Amy Butler via Skye Reve Fabrics' Etsy shop for my next big project and I couldn't be more thrilled (or impatient) about their arrival.

Since I decided to ditch my current digs for a nook in a loft at the The Brewery Art Colony, I have been nothing but inspired. (More on my upcoming relocation soon- promise!) One of my more ambitious goals is to redo the seats on a set of 8 wooden dining chairs. This would be less ambitious if I knew anything about upholstery or would be happy with a hackneyed glue gun job. Of course, neither of these things are true.

I purchased the chairs along with a gorgeous antique wood dining table a few months back. They were half off on the last day of an incredibly stacked estate sale and I simply couldn't say no. The table has multiple leaves and comfortably sat 16 at Thanksgiving dinner but easily converts to a more modest (and less gargantuan) piece of furniture by removing the leaves. I adore everything about this set aside from the black vinyl fabric currently covering each chair's seat. The vinyl isn't incredibly offensive, but wouldn't the chairs be much cuter (and less sticky) in a mix of bright bold prints? I think so!

I'm still on the hunt for 4 more fabulous prints. If you have any recommendations leave a link below!

Modernica Pets

2011-01-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

While I love shabby chic, I've got a thing for clean and sleek. I'm also the recipient of any and all exceptionally cute/hilarious animal videos found by friends, family, and colleagues. (Check out "Paranoid Seal" sourced by Max Rambles).

The masters at Modernica have combined two of my major weaknesses (modern furniture and fluffy four-legged creatures) in what is possibly the best internet contest I have ever seen. The specs: send in an original photo of your pet lounging on a piece of modern furniture in your home for a chance to win one of these impeccable prizes:

The entries have depicted furry sweet hearts I want to squeeze on gorgeous furniture I desperately covet. Here are a few of my favorite entries so far:

Eames (the bunny) on Pantone chair and Charlotte (the kitty) and hippo.

Tugger

Beatrice on a shell rocker.

One day I'll be wealthy enough to own Modernica's Papa Bear Love Seat and responsible enough to own a gaggle of pets. On that day in the distant future expect an EXTENDED photo shoot. Til' then, it's flea market finds, Ikea knock offs, and a garden of low maintenance cactus plants.

I Heart Jamie Lauren

2011-01-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

While unwinding after work last night I started flipping through the channels and landed on Top Chef Masters. Low and behold- a hot dyke in the kitchen! If you've seen Top Chef you know I'm talking about flavor maven and celesbian Jamie Lauren.

This Top Chef All Star is the former executive chef at San Francisco's Absinthe and is currently turning the heat up (in my pants) at Venice's Beechwood. I don't know if it's her little smirk, tattoos, or knife skills that hooked me first, but where she goes Ms Gingham shall follow!

It Gets Better

2011-01-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

I first read about the It Gets Better Project from Max Rambles in October and have been following its development ever since. It's no surprise that sex-positive queer hero Dan Savage (voice of my favorite bedtime lullaby The Savage Lovecast) is at the heart of this remarkable project turned movement. The project began with a video from Dan and his partner Terry in response to a number of suicides brought on by LGBT bullying. The project encourages others to speak up and shout out that IT GETS BETTER from the proverbial YouTube rooftops. Celebrities including Barack Obama (can we call him a celebrity? I suppose I should say Mr. President), Mathew Morrison of Glee, Neil Patrick Harris, Anne Hathaway, and Sarah Silverman have all included videos to tell LGBT youth that it does get better.

On the latest edition of The Savage Lovecast, Dan Savage pointed out an amazing video made by comedian Rebecca Drysdale as part of the It Gets Better Project.

At the end of the video, Rebecca takes on the important task of of opening up the It Gets Better sentiment to all kids who are bullied for being their very own brand of different. While social media gets a lot of flack for being an avenue ripe for bullying, this project shows how social media has the potential to change people lives for the better.

Favorite line: One day you’ll look back and you won’t give a fuck, When your swimming through your pussy vault like Scrooge Fucking McDuck. IT GETS BETTER.

Fever Dream: David Boreanaz, The Desert, Ray Bans

2011-01-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a fever dream that involved:

a) The cast of Bones starring David Boreanaz (both in the show, and most definitely in my dream)

b) The Parker Meridian: a fabulous unique hotel compound in Palm Springs. It was once the estate of "America's favorite singing cowboy" Gene Autry.

c) Some truly fabulous desert wear.

The desert is a certain kind of paradise that isn't for everyone. I first fell in love with desert beauty while visiting Death Valley with my family as a young child. I remember looking out the window of our 1980's yellow diesel mercedes station wagon and tracing an imaginary line along the edge of the mountains. Deserts are extreme. The blistering heat at noon is only rivaled by the bitter cold at midnight. You should never underestimate it's power or the tenacity of the creatures that survive there day in and day out (both non-human and human alike).

Luckily, in my desert dream I had David Boreanaz in a Stetson by my side. What coyote would want to take on a domestic superhero and her partner in crime who happens to be a vampire (Angel) turned FBI agent (Agent Booth) turned Cowboy (my dream)? Oh the erotic power of startext!

One of my ideas of heaven:
1) A man in a Stetson- I suppose this man will do, though David Boreanaz would be my first choice. (Stetson hat starting at $56, Stetson man is priceless)

2) 70's Palm Springs pool side paradise (Dwell)

3) Classic Aviators (Rayban starting at $139)

4) Earth tone figure flattering bikini (Worldly Wise Bikini, $88 per piece)
5) Ass kicking desert boots (Liberty Boots, $158)

Capricorn Wishes

2011-01-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hello Capricorns! Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous, passionate, classy, and clandestine month of birth with sparklers to boot!

Photo courtesy of Creature Comforts.

Bitchin' Kitchen

2011-01-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

I spend a lot of time in kitchens and a lot of time in closets, so it seems inevitable that I introduce one to the other. The minute I spotted Lara Collins' kitchen I fell in love with the robins egg high gloss cabinetry, farmhouse table, and yellow standing mixer. The look has an urban rusticity that is to die for. Handmade wooden shelves and a wooden ceiling work with a sleek white tile wall to create a neutral backdrop for eye catching pops of color.

While it may be winter everywhere else, I live the California life where sun springs eternal. This kitchen has me dreaming of crisp air turning to warm breezes. Luckily, sun dresses aren't far off for Ms Gingham! Here's a little ensemble I mashed together inspired by the fabulousness of the kitchen above. Can't you imagine coming into this kitchen with fresh bundle of lavender in this outfit? I can!

New Year Resolution #1

2011-01-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

How To: Avoid Assaulting People on New Years

2010-12-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

On holidays infamous for copious amounts of alcohol consumption such as New Years Eve, women are often reminded of all the ways to keep themselves from being sexually assaulted. Don't get too drunk! Don't be too provocative! Maintain the buddy system! And while some of these tips are good ones, I'd like to take this moment to flip the responsibility from the ladies to the gents.

Hey dudes- on this up coming New Year's Eve, take it upon yourself to NOT sexually assault anyone. Maybe even take it a step further and resolve to stop any assault or potential assault you see unfolding. Here's a great tip from a Feminist Law Professors blog that can support you in this endeavor:

Carry a whistle! If you are worried you might assault someone "on accident"you can hand it to the person you are with, so they can blow it if you do.

In case you don't know where to get a sweet whistle, here's a great Steam Punk version from GwenDelicious on Etsy. It's only $27 and could keep you from doing something you'll regret.

No Easy Decision

2010-12-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

No Easy Decision airs on MTV tomorrow night, and Feministing had a few choice things to say.

MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” to air special on abortion tomorrow

By VANESSA | Published: DECEMBER 27, 2010

Nearly a year after Jessica and others asked the question, “Why are there no abortions on 16 and Pregnant?”, MTV has decided to take the issue to task. The fact of the matter is thatnearly a third of teen pregnancies end in abortion, so portraying all of the realities of unintended teen pregnancies is critical – especially in support for whatever decision these young women make.

No Easy Decision will air tomorrow night on MTV at 11:30 EST, and will profile three young women’s stories about their decision to have an abortion. It’s incredibly rare that abortion is depicted in a realistic way on television (or, I should say, it’s rare that the issue is televised at all) so I’m really looking forward to seeing how MTV represents these young women’s stories.

Exhale, a self-proclaimed “pro-voice” organization that provides nonjudgmental and emotional post-abortion support, has launched an online campaign,“16 and Loved,” in support of the women telling their stories on the program. (There’s no doubt that anti-choice groups and organizations will be all over this, so any and all support is invaluable.) They’ll be holding a live blog on the night of with our very own Jessica, Lynn Harris and others involved, and are encouraging folks to also live tweet the show (make sure to follow @ExhaleProVoice and use hashtags #16andloved and #provoice). You can join the actual campaign and RSVP to the watch-in event on Facebook here.

Let’s hope this special serves as a way for us to not only destigmatize abortion, but more importantly, to let all teens with unintended pregnancies know out there know that they’re loved — no matter what.

Holiday Zombie Tips

2010-12-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a particularly hard time to keep balance in ones life. With the baking, brining, roasting, wrapping, primping, and preening it's easy to be caught off guard by the zombie apocalypse! Luckily these pin ups are here to show you how to balance the tasks of wife, mother, AND zombie hunter! At times like these, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

Note: These ladies prove that zombie fighting is equally effective in a crinoline as in cargoes. No need to forgo femininity and poise for badass action! We really can have it all!

Mastering Dressy Casual

2010-12-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

While mother always said that you can't go wrong with a black cocktail dress (and I tend to agree with her) sometimes occasions call for something a little more lax. Often times I'm invited to a party and I don't know if it's jeans and sneakers or suits and ties. During the holidays it's smart to opt for festive and comfy with a drop of sparkle and polish. This ensemble would be perfect for a casual eggnog making party turned night out with friends.

Kites and Metal: DIY is Sexy

2010-12-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

Ms Gingham would like to welcome Kites and Metal to the blogosphere! Handmade jewelry that doesn't look like it emerged from a summer camp craft house is always good to find. Pieces are bold yet delicate, channeling a feminine edge I find oh-so-sexy. I am considering buying one of these rings to replace a Jeanine Payer ring that read "By words the mind is winged -Aristophanes." I received the ring for my 18th birthday and wore it every day until it met its maker in someones pool filter a few days ago.

My affinity for Kites and Metal stems from a general respect for artisans and the craft of DIY-ing life's little pleasures. It's been wonderful to see my comrades' craft skills emerge as they knit, sew, hammer, sketch, solder, and compose holiday gifts for loved ones. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but am resolving to increase my DIY how-to in the New Year.

DIY skills translate into greater autonomy in the day to day. I'd like to know that if push came to shove I could build a hut, sew my clothes, and make a delicious dinner from foraged items. While it's unlikely I'll ever be put (or put myself) in that situation, the knowledge that I'm ready, willing, and able to pioneer the shit out of life would be awesome. So far I'm pretty good on the sewing front- next up is learning to build a shelter and discern poisonous mushrooms from edible varieties.

What's your most coveted DIY skill?

Intra-Office Holiday Snogging

2010-12-21T14:29:00.000-08:00

Tis' the season to be jolly, unless Christmas is right around the corner and you haven't finished your shopping. This year I went all corporate on Jesus's ass and put my gift list in excel. All my shopping has been done for almost a week (as my color coded spreadsheet indicates)....or so I thought. When the powers that be at my day job announced there would be a Holiday sock contest, Holiday tie/scarf contest, and Holiday hat contest in the three days leading up to Christmas, I should have realized that I was in a hyper-festive environment.

Much to my dismay (and of course big hugs and many thanks) a slew of coworkers started presenting me with small but thoughtful gifts yesterday. While I would consider myself a giver both in and out of bed, I hadn't planned on giving to every single coworker this holiday season. Luckily, Smitten Kitchen has pulled through with a variety of affordable holiday treats I can whip up.

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies for the IT boys.

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti for the boss man and boss lady.

Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies for anyone and everyone.

I plan to run to the hardware store tonight to purchase a crate of over sized mason jars to stuff with these chocolate goodies. Tie a gorgeous red gingham ribbon around the neck of the jar with a personalized greeting and I've got attractive affordable gifts for all the office lemmings! Hurray!

If you can't get it together to bake up a last minute storm, you can always go with a sprig of mistletoe and offer yourself up on a silver platter. Just steer clear of HR.

Get Off My Couch

2010-12-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

God I hate this pillow. Never has such well designed and executed needle point infuriated me so! I actually heard this quote a few months ago. A friend's mother used to use it as her mantra. Her very smart, sassy, and kick-ass daughter's reply? "Laughter is the the way to a woman's heart."

What irks me most about such pro-ana (yeah, that stand for pro-anorexia...) phrases is the justification that they are "anti-obesity." There is nothing anti-obesity about telling people not to just NOT eat because being skinny is so effing awesome man! If you want to needlepoint something more productive, how about "Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels," or "Nothing feels as good as walking up three flights of stairs without getting winded." Which, by the way, neither obese nor anorexic people can (usually) do.

Being pro-skinny has nothing to do with being anti-obesity. In fact it often fuels the same issues that cause people to over-eat or under-eat depending on their coping mechanisms. This pillow is cute- its message is not. Johnathan Adler, husband to the creative director for Barney's and newest additions to my hit list, is now selling these cute pieces of soul killing propaganda at Barney's.

And don't tell me to lighten up and get a sense of humor about this- because it's just not funny.

Vintage Ladies

2010-12-09T13:56:00.000-08:00

Love this collection of vintage ladies from catchmeifyoufran.

Bows and Whistles

2010-12-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

The other day I mentioned my love for the knitting collective Knitta Please. While these creations aren't exactly public art, they are freakin' adorable! At a time when most everything is made in China, it's fun to rep accessories clearly made the old-fashioned way. As fall slips into winter, adorning oneself with all things cute and cozy is ever-more desireable. You may think it's overkill, but i would rock these two pieces together.

Cup cozy available on Etsy from Wayside Violet for $15. Adorable hair bow available on Etsy from Thrush for $12.

And...another Etsy domestic-inspired gem I simply adore! Few people have the ability to make their own clothes these days- so if you know how to sew, wear this necklace loud and proud- I know I will! I saw a necklace similar to this at a little boutique in Montreal a few years back. If only I hadn't decided to 'sleep on it' and check back tomorrow. That baby was snapped up faster than 75% off cashmere at Saks. Truly a lesson learned.

The attached scissors and little red rose detail dangling from the machine add unique charm. $58 from Poetic Designs on Etsy.

Cee Lo, Loubitans, Manifestos- Oh My!

2010-12-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I'm late to the party. Everyone has been receiving daily e-mails from Gwyneth forever and ever and I'm the girl with no lipstick and a clutch that won't close busting through the door while the cake is being cut. After Gwyneth's sassy performance on Glee (which has 9.5 million fans on facebook....insane) including a fab cover of Cee Lo's Forget You (aka Fuck You) my somewhat dismissive opinion of America's favourite east coast blonde softened.

This morning Adrian Archer forwarded one of Gwyneth's daily GOOPs. In it, Monica Berg responds to the following questions:

“As a woman who was raised in a society where it is implied that women should be agreeable and amenable, where speaking up for yourself can label you 'difficult', I personally have found it difficult to do that very thing. Why is it important to have personal boundaries and make sure they are not crossed? More importantly, how can we keep them while coming off strong and not strident?”

As someone whose confidence has been interpreted as "abrasive and aggressive" by certain employers, and whose feminism and bi-sexuality have been considered "overbearing," by certain ex-lovers, this question resonates with me. The flip side of my sauciness (as I prefer to call it) is the underlying sense of propriety a Pasadena based youth instilled in me. The dichotomy of spending University summers in a commune-esque living situation in the woods of New Hampshire (love you World Fellowship!) directly followed by hosting city slicker cocktail parties in Louboutins is what makes Ms Gingham the kick ass apron wearing super hero she is.

For me, contemporary feminist womanhood is about riding the liminal space between playful domesticity and patriarchal crime fighting, or put another way, about knowing how to be strong but not strident. We all (and I'd say particularly the ladies) know what it's like to wear multiple hats- and not only because we have a love affair with millinery (check out these fabulous chapeaus by Eugenia Kim). While multitasking is my MO (currently: drinking coffee, reading Advertising Age, editing a YouTube video, listening to a /film podcast, caring for my mother's emotional health with an affirmational e-mail about her outfit, and writing this blog post) sometimes I want to throw in the towel and sing it like Gwyneth/Silo (FUUCCKK YOUUUU, FUCK FUCK YOUUU!!!).

Sometimes a sing along is all you need; sometimes a little solid advice like that provided by Berg in her response goes a bit deeper. I'll share a few excerpts that resonated with me:

"It’s important we see how our seeking for approval gets in our own way. Once we become more aware, it’s then important to set a mandate by which we can live, a certain line that we draw, a set of rules to place for ourselves. This means creating a personal credo that speaks to our soul aspect." (Okay, time to finally write my personal manifesto)

"When our core beliefs are clear, we find that we no longer worry about coming off “too strong.” In fact, we often become aggressive or act in ways not in our integrity because we react to things and people that we find threatening. Our beliefs are only threatened when we don’t know what they are." (What Color is My Parachute? No, seriously, what color is this thing and how do I open it??)

"An important distinction I want to make is I’m not saying be self-centered, but rather become self-aware and strengthen the soul aspect within, and build strength on that foundation. When you do, questions like, 'How do I know when I am giving too much?' will be replaced with, 'Am I tending to my deepest needs?'" (Added to my to-do list: yoga, sex shop).

To read Monica Berg's response in its entirely, view the entire GOOP entry here. To shake it out and let loose- even for just a minute- whip your hair back and forth.

Knitta Please

2010-12-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

Nothing says cozy like a warm soft knit. Since you can't go near a skillshare without hitting 10 bitches stichin', I bet a fair amount of you out there know how to work the needles. I began my love affair with knitting when I read about Austin based knitting collective Knitta Please.

Knitta Please started the knitting graffiti movement which has since woven it's way around guardrails, parking meters, and freeway signs across the globe. So-called "yarnbombing" wraps the public world of concrete and steel in a blanket of fuzz and color. The contrast creates a dialogue between art/craft, public/private, and calls into question the seemingly 'natural' dominance of the masculine in public art. The collective accomplishes this in the most beautiful form of protest I've yet to see.

Knitta Please is a stunning example of how people can organize to make a powerful statement through constructive, non-violent means. Not only is the message clear, the means to the message add to our cultural landscape. The other day, I was driving down the 110 and imagined what it would look like if the center guardrail was covered in gorgeous patterns and colourful explosions. It would have been a very different drive indeed.

Scott Joplin

2010-11-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

When in pensive moods, it can be quite lovely to listen to music that forgoes lyrics. Lately, I've been turning to The King of Ragtime- Scott Joplin. Ragtime was a key element in the evolution of the American pop song. Sometimes people get so obsessed with the new, they forget to mine the past for originality and inspiration. Looking to artistic rebels of the past like Joplin channels the double pleasure of anachronism and freshness. Plus, look at these sweet posters!

Thanksgiving

2010-11-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

I must confess, I was too busy cooking, drinking, and greeting to be the best photographer on Thanksgiving! Some moments are meant to be relished in person and the photographs must suffer. It was a lovely meal with all the fixins: a fabulous cheese plate worth its weight in gold, turkey stuffed with traditional stuffing made with Bells Seasoning, cornbread sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts and squash in bacon vinaigrette, onions au gratin, corn muffins, cranberry sauce, multiple chutneys, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, and whooooole lotta liquor! Here are a few photos I managed to snap!

Putting together this meal was truly a pleasure. Getting the men who didn't cook anything to do the dishes was truly a given.

Hipster Break Ups

2010-11-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just gotta laugh...at hipsters! Hipsterdate.net does a stand up job of poking fun at how hipsters date as well as how hipsters break up. The following text messages- sent by iPhone of course- made me chuckle.

"My opening"

"Iconicity- thanks Roland Barthes"

"Once you commit to an aesthetic, you really have to commit"

Happy Anniversary!

2010-11-22T17:25:00.000-08:00

Well shucks folks, yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary of lil' Ms Gingham! There are a few shout outs that seem apropos. I'd like to thank:

1) My Cultural Studies/Women's Studies/Art History degrees for giving me a sense of intellectual entitlement.

2) My dear friend Max for suggesting I turn that entitlement into a blog (and for introducing me to the magic that is poutine, but that is neither here nor there).

3) My sister for sparking my love of gingham at a young age by carrying her pencils and calculators around in a wicker basket lined with hunter green gingham like the true original she is. Oh, and have I mentioned the fact that she wore a floor length black and white gingham dress to her prom? What a babe.

4) All the ladies and gents who have taken a minute to consider what is so feminist about a cupcake. My hat is off to you! Here's to another year of negotiating the ups, downs, ins, and outs of what it means to be a contemporary feminist domestic goddess- to have your cupcakes and deconstruct them too!

Prim Rebels Eat Cake Too

2010-11-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

This wedding cake is a delicate as it is bold. A nice mix of tradition and edge, Peony Frill by DC based Maggie Austin knows how to create classics with a twist.

Produce Stands

2010-11-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

One of my fondest Montreal memories is the string of fruiteries just two blocks from my apartment in the Mile End district. It's not so much that I happened to live near these produce stands and mini groceries, rather I chose where to hang my hat based on their location. Proximity to produce and bulk yogurt covered almonds is a must during University, or at least it was for me. While I adore the farmers market culture in LA, lately I've been waxing nostalgic for the good old days when I'd hop off the 80 bus, fill my satchel with fresh goodies, and be home in no time to whip up some bizarre concoction.

While perusing the bigBANGstudio which currently documents the travels and artistic pursuits of the oh-so-talented Lily Stockman in India, I came across this stunning photo.

It made me think of how lovely it would be go go on a fruit stand tour. Travel the globe in search of neighborhood fruit stands, photograph their facades, interview the shop keepers, and nosh of nature's candy. What a lovely way to celebrate local food, color, and flavor. Anyone want to tag along (or foot the bill)?

Pointillism

2010-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

Color is good for the disposition, wool is good for the tootsies, this rug is good for the Gingham. The little balls remind me rainy day crafting at camp. So many mystical creatures created out of nothing more than a few puff balls, googlie eyes, toothpicks, and a glue gun. Ahhh the good ole days!

. From Hayshop via Black Eiffel.

Over the Mantle

2010-11-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

Some may find it slightly archaic that my parents still sit down for cocktail hour in front of the fire place every night. Father brings in the wood, builds a fire, and mixes the drinks while mother sets out the hors d'oeuvres and occasionally checks on dinner. Sure it would be nice if they switched roles every now and again (never gonna happen) but the beauty of this ritual is that it results in good old fashioned conversation. No distraction allowed. I respect my mother for insisting on this daily dose of quality time. It may be traditional, but it's a tradition that facilitates daily communication and connection.

Fire places also signify the time one takes to spend with oneself. It's one thing to read a book on your bed, it's another to take the time to build a fire and plop yourself down in front of it with a bit of music, a spot of literature, or solely the thoughts in ones head. Of course fire places and the time it takes to enjoy them can be accused of a certain bourgeois arrogance. I don't seek to defend them against that claim, rather to highlight the importance of some ritual that spurs you to take time to communicate with yourself or with your house mates.

Because most of my ideas about the world translate into an aesthetic opinion, I think it's of the utmost importance to honor the fireplace. From a design perspective, they make a gorgeous focal point and provide dynamic dimensional possibilities. I love the above DIY take on art over the mantle.

Having a fireplace is a gift. My skin crawls to walk into an apartment with a gorgeous fireplace that is treated as if it were nothing more than an air vent. It baffles me that people dare to make a glowing screen (rather than a glowing hearth) the visual focus of a space made for living.

If you have a fireplace, for god sakes respect it. If you don't, find other ways to build rituals in your life that foster introspection and communication with loved ones.

Break Ups

2010-11-15T09:10:00.000-08:00

Recently, Facebook released a graph of 'break up statistics' gleaned from plotting the changes in relationship statuses throughout the year. Everyone and their mom (literally, because everyone's mom is on Facebook) has been talking about it. I kept my trap shut until THREE of my friends reported break ups coinciding with the pre-holiday ramp up described below.

Since Facebook doesn't foresee a turn around in heartbreak behaviour until January, I thought I would provide a little advice for getting through the doldrums of post breakup hell.

1) For god sakes DO NOT cut your hair. I know you want a change, but you're not thinking clearly right now and that pixie cut will not look the same on you as it does on Maggie Gyllenhaal. I'm not saying you won't look smashing with these frisky locks, but chopping the hair you've been growing for years when you're not entirely mentally stable is not wise. Buy some statement earrings or a funky hat instead. It will shake up your look and is entirely removable.

2) Indulge, but not in food. The inability to button your jeans will not make you feel better. A massage, pedicure, facial, or body wrap might.

3) Pump up your exercise routine. Not because you want to look hot, but because the endorphins really will lift your mood. Resist extremes by skipping the knee-jerk bootcamp and opting for a weekly hike with a friend instead. If you're in LA, Runyon Canyon is a great choice.

4) Book a trip. Doesn't matter where, just go. And since you've already spent your money getting rubbed down, buffed, and polished, make it to a location where you can stay with friends for free.

5) Don't turn on the radio. First of all, the music sucks. Second of all, the music sucks and is either about finding the love of your life (which will make you sad), losing the love of your life (which will make you sad), or grinding against some bitch like a g-6 up in da club (which will make you sad for the state of music, bitches, and da club). Instead, listen to Bob Dylan Like a Rolling Stone while drinking a bottle of wine in the bath tub and Alanis Morrissette's Jagged Little Pill while driving around sober with your friends.

6) Remember that you're your own best friend. Cheesy, sure, but absolutely true.

Let's Hear it For the Boys

2010-11-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

Every Sunday I venture to Silvelake Coffee to read, write, and eavesdrop. I'm taking a break from my book to give an official shout out to the guy sitting behind me. His two male friends were making some sweeping and generally derogatory comments about women and this guy spoke up. He literally said, "this is so ridiculous, stop being so misogynistic."

To borrow from a (male) friend, "men of quality to not fear equality." To all the men out there who not only live by those beliefs, but aren't afraid to call others out on their bullshit, Ms Gingham says thank you.

Dinner Club: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

2010-11-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

The first time I made gnocchi from scratch was with an Argentine coworker who explained the technique and history behind the dish. In Argentina, gnocchi is traditionally eaten at the end of the month when money is tight because its ingredients are so cheap. All you need is potatoes, flour, egg, and water. Families would gather together to make the dough into little balls and then roll them down the tines of a fork to give them their signature look.

The Meal Muse and I jaunted over to our friend Graham's apartment on Thursday to enjoy a little, food, wine, and conversation. Quite the culinary aficionado, Graham had prepared a fabulous from-scratch harvest meal of sweet potato gnocchi, and a delicious salad with beets and fennel. We sipped a nice Chardonnay from Edna Valley with butterscotchy undertones that brought out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and chattered away into the evening.

The best meals involve your guests, ignite your palette, satiate your tummy, and stretch your dollar. This one did it all and then some. I would gladly share the recipes here, but Graham is the adventurous sort that measures with the eye and hopes for the best. This basic gnocchi recipe can serve as a jumping off point for a number of versions.

Bathroom Transformation

2010-11-09T21:59:00.000-08:00

Ms Gingham is seeking a new Silverlake nest! I'm on the hunt for the perfect nook to rest my head and thus find myself trolling the before and after transformations on design sponge even more than usual. This bathroom redo shows how a little capital investment can go a LONG way in small spaces.

Reality Bites

2010-11-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Some movies are like old friends. Reality Bites explored the doldrums of the post-college years and simultaneously defined an era. While Lelaina (Winona Ryder) was the star, it was Vickie (Jeneane Garafolo) who won my heart and caught my fashion attention.

Dress: Modcloth 54.99, Belt: Anthropologie $32.00, Shoes: JCrew $265, Tights: Polyvore $20

William Eggleston at LACMA

2010-11-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday evening my sister and I popped over to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to check out the photography exhibition William Eggleston: Democratic Camera- Photographs and Video, 1961-2008.

Deserted scenes of Southern Americana are the subject matter for Eggleston's experiments with the then emerging field of colour photography in the 1960's and 1970's. Imbued with an analogue grit so many tirelessly try to achieve through photoshop, his work is both emotionally and technically stunning. To the contemporary eye, texture is as prevalent as colour perhaps because we have grown so accustomed to the flatness of digital.

The richness feels both retro and oh-so-right-now which may explain why indie artists like Spoon and The Silver Jews have used Eggleston's photos for their cover art.

Another favorite from the show reminded me of my high school foray into feminist photography when I photographed plastic dolls shoved into things like toasters, dishwashers, and crockpots. I'll spare you reproductions of my hackneyed attempts, and share Eggleston's more refined version of baby dolls perched on a Cadillac.

I can't get enough of this photo- diner, beehive, cigarettes, vinyl, PINK GINGHAM DRESS, heaven.

The culture vultures as Flavorpill hit the nail on the head when they describe Eggleston's work as,"Psychologically complex and casually refined, bordering on kitsch and never conventionally bpautiful." While the exhibition didn't blow me out of the water, it did blow my hair back and make me yearn for the good old days spent swishing chemicals in my high school dark room.

On display until January 16th 2011.

Happy Friday!

2010-11-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Show someone a little unexpected love this weekend, mm?

photo courtesy of lelove.

Gingham Cards!

2010-11-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gents! Ms Gingham has...CARDS! Thanks to the incredible illustration and graphic stylings of the Bradley brothers, you can take Ms Gingham on the go! Who doesn't want a sexy domestic superhero in their pocket?

Chopping Block

2010-11-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Let's talk about knives. It is my belief that everyone needs three good knives: one small, one large, and one large serrated. The Germans have a knack for making excellent knives; I like Henckels. A good knife should feel like an extension of your hand and be sharp enough that you don't need to apply excessive force to chop an apple. Many fear a sharp knife, but they've got it all wrong. Knives are most dangerous when they're dull and cause you to be a clumsy chopper. Knife storage can be a bit tricky as well so I've compiled a few neat ways of solving the visual and safety concerns.

Shoving knives in a drawer is certainly one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. A knife block is a common solution, tends to eat up precious counter space and definitely does NOT turn me on visually.

Mounting your knives on magnetic strips or dots, as in the first two pictures respectively, one of my favorite solutions. With your knives on display you always know where they are and you can assess all your options when picking an appropriate tool for the task at hand. Plus, the visual statement strikes just the right amount of castration anxiety into the hearts of those who enter your beloved kitchen.

The third solution is new to me, but it pretty neat. the knife handles look like a line of friends hanging out just waiting to chop garlic.

Photos courtesy of Design*Sponge and The Selby.

Stereotyping and Sexualizing Fitness: Pop Physique

2010-11-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't call myself a health nut, but I do like to keep my body is pretty good shape in case the apocolypse arrives and I need to be able to run swiftly and fight decisively. Also, eating crap and sitting on my ass all day makes me depressed. I've been looking to add a group workout to my normal routine, so I started researching exercise classes in Silverlake to attend once a week.

I yelped it, and came up with Pop Physique which reportedly plays great music like Crystal Castles, Peaches, and Hot Chip during their combo dance/pilates/yoga/toning one hour circuits. I went to their website to check them out, and this is what I saw...

After picking my jaw up off the floor, I clicked on 'Silverlake' only to find...

Booty. And then the hits just kept on coming....

BAM!

Judging by the models, clothes, and typography, this is where all American Apparel models work out. It seems all the gripes that apply to American Apparel's ad campaigns apply here too, but in case you haven't been paying attention, let's just take a minute to deconstruct this ideal: white-washed, coked-up, prima ballerina anyone? Oh, and with huge boobs.

I think I'll pass. The website reminded me of a debate that has been running in the Yoga community for quite some time. Outside of the commercialization of yoga, we now have the sexualization of yoga. I'm not against sexualizing things, but it seems damaging when practices like yoga and even the general health culture get sexualized in very narrow ways. As Stewart Lawrence succinctly puts it:

Others are equally worried that selling yoga with fit, trim bodies – almost all of them young and white – imposes the same harsh psychological burden on women that traditional fashion and beauty advertising does. Even more, perhaps, because women with serious psychological or physical health issues – such as obesity, as well as anorexia and bulimia – are drawn to yoga to affirm themselves, regardless of their "looks" or how they might feel about their bodies.

The women featured on Pop Physique and the covers of fitness magazine like Shape and Self are in probably in excellent physical condition. However, so are a large percentage of women who don't look like these models. When fitness and health become more about how your body looks rather than what it feels like and what it can do, you enter dangerous psychological territory. This is particularly important when the look being sold follows a dominant paradigm of attractiveness that excludes the vast majority of women (aka not white, not young, not thin).

I'm not anti-nudity, I'm just pro-variety.

All Hallows Kiss

2010-10-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

That's hot.

Photo Daydream Lily via La Petite Choue.

Fall Dress Up

2010-10-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

In summer, you might find me perusing the farmers market in a long silk maxi dress, oversized straw sunhat, flip slops, and Audrey shades. I'm loving the Fall interpretation of this look brought to you by the stylists at Anthropologie. Long hemlines add a swoosh of grandeur that tight-and-short just can't muster.

This outfit only works if the proportions are right. A long coat would drag you down, but a tweedy cropped jacket or blazer keeps lines crisp. Boots with a bit of height secretly elongate the leg. At first I imagined a pair of ankle booties and a fun pair of floral tights, but the cropped boot makes the long hemline look Victorian rather than modern.

All this look requires is a hefty bunch of sunflowers headed for your kitchen table and perhaps a pair of fingerless shearling gloves in case the wind picks up.

Halloween Goodies

2010-10-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Love the look of these edible Halloween creations! Tonight I'll be making a witches brew and sipping it slowly as I carve a pumpkin and toast the seeds for noshing. Some people get fancy, but I just like to grind some sea salt and let the natural flavors be my guide. Crunch crunch crunch!

Skulls from Figs with Brie, chocolate covered ghost pretzels from Savory Sweet Life, and Candy Apples from Farenheit 350.

Shane Koyczan & Loooove Poems

2010-10-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've got a thing for poetry and I've got a thing for poets. I do my utmost to read a few poems before hitting the sheets every night and find that a little poetry can be just the thing to heat up those very same sheets when the occasion calls.

Canadian poet Shane Koyczan isn't a genius, but he's certainly part of a movement to make moving poetry accessible to the masses. He doesn't take himself too seriously, and though he has his trite moments, there are times when he says things that actually make me attracted to this obese stranger.

Skin 2 by Shane Koyczan
I don’t imagine you
saran-wrapped in black latex
or seeping out the edges
of something tight and red
I don’t close my eyes
to dream of your back
arched at the impossible angle
of a bow pulled tight
encouraging your shoulder blades
to drip the blood
of stockpiled broken hearts
but I hope the sound
of you not shielding your eyes
from my blinding humility
will one day top the charts
it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard
and you’re the charlie chaplin of your beautifuls
because you make me believe it
when you say it all without saying a word
looking at you it occurred to me
I could sit around all day
wearing nothing but your kiss
you make mirrors
want to grind themselves
back down into sand
because they can’t do your reflection justice
and this just in
I am done with those
who in life would have made me fight
an army of imperfections
a battalion of flaws
tonight we’re going to keep this city up
when they hear our bodies
slap together like applause.

Shane Koyczan is a decent poet, but he is one hell of a slam poet. Performances like this give me hope for the genre and reinvigorate my desire to bust out my beret collection.

Poetry is the language of love, but if it's a little out of reach, you can always lift photos like this from lelove or even photoshop your own!

Care Packages

2010-10-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, before hunkering down to bake apple chedder scones from Smitten Kitchen with the Meal Muse, I noticed a parcel perched in my mailbox. Turns out it was a care package from one of my nearest and dearest full of goodies tailored just to my taste! The contents:

1) A red apron with gingham trim
2) A bit of pale blue fabric with teapots printed on it (perfect for a hanky or jam jar toppers)
3) A gorgeous gold necklace with a pink ceramic rose from her latest adventure in Australia
5) A red vintage tin full of adorable miniature cookie cutters
6) A lovely note just saying hi.

Anyone who has been to sleep away camp knows the power of a good care package. I spent every summer of my prodigal youth at Camp Nellie Huckins canoeing in Lake Ossipee and skipping beneath the pines. Every day after lunch, a silent hour of rest was mandated. Campers had to stay on their bunks where the mail would be delivered. A letter was like Christmas; a care package was like crack.

Care packages are a great way to practice random acts of kindness. So is baking a batch of delicious scones to share with your cubicle mates. These puppies were simple, but did take a bit of a time commitment due to various rest times. In addition, the recipe instructs one to blend the wet with the dry using an electric mixer, which as a devotee of the Joy of Cooking's philosophy of scones, seems completely insane. We blended the wet together with an electric mixer then mixed the dry in with a few swift strokes.

Since our digital cameras are both on the fritz, these photos are from Smitten Kitchens original post where you can also find the complete recipe!

Kitchen Love

2010-10-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

I love the attainability of this kitchen! Shows that a little high quality graphic fabric goes a long way. Also, isn't it neat that the every day yellow kitchen sponge actually ADDS rather than detracts from the decor? A great example of incorporating functional pieces into your design scheme.

Photo courtesy of Design*Sponge.

Ms. Brightside

2010-10-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

My nearest and dearest would certainly say I'm a glass half full kinda gal. But even those who embrace the rain in hopes of a rainbow can get a bit down from time to time. Maybe your lover insulted you, your boss put you down, your mother told you to loose a few pounds, or your cat ran away. Heck, maybe all these things happened in one week. Give yourself a little down time to wallow with a bottle of wine, an embarrassing amount of hulu, and maybe a few pricey but worth it long distance phone calls to those who know you best. If they're worth their weight in gold they'll remind you of this,

While I'm not one to stick self affirming sayings on my mirror ("You are a unique snowflake!" etc.) I love these posters in Eva Juliet's Etsy shop. Originally scoped on High Heels and Diet Doctor Pepper.

Take Care

2010-10-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

In a world where everything from toothbrushes to starlets is disposable, one sometimes forgets the importance of caring for the items meant to stick around. We're more prone to purchase shoes on deep discount that we know will wear out in a year than invest in a more expensive pair that will last 10 years. One reason? People don't know how to care for quality, so their "investment pieces" don't last as long as they should. Here are a few products from JCrew that are designed to keep your finer things in tip top shape.

Alden shoe tree: $30.00 (if desperate, stuff shoes with old socks to keep their shape)

The Laundress NY Cashmere Wash and Shirt wash: $18.00 each (crucial to keep the dry cleaning budget down)

The Laundress NY Collars and Cuffs stain bar: $7.00

PS- make great stocking stuffers!

Pinktober

2010-10-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to write something about the absurdity of breast cancer awareness month, but I saw this video from Modern Lady on feministing and felt it really summed it up quite well.

There is no doubt that raising awareness about breast cancer and donating money to breast cancer research are critical. However, I despise the way every company under the sun has latched onto the consumer desire to fight the good fight while not really doing much at all. The idea that you're making all the difference you need to make by purchasing a pink bucket of KFC is a masturbatory fantasy (no offense to masturbation).

Sure, there's the argument that commercials raise awareness that will help change behavior. But as feministing so succinctly put it, "If there is any behavioral change, it’s that people might buy more stuff. But for this one month, it’s not really shopping. It’s not consumerism. It is charity. Because the stuff has a pink ribbon on it!"

Not to mention the fact that some 'pink' campaigns have such a minuscule relationship to breast cancer awareness it's positively laughable. Take the 'I like it' meme that encourages (mostly) women to update their Facebook status to complete the phrase "I like it on" to raise breast cancer awareness. The thought process: a sexually suggestive Facebook status will make people think about sex, which will make them think about breasts, which will make them think about breast cancer? Huh? At least last years campaign to update your status with details describing your bra was more directly related to the cause, sort of. (PS neon green by Cosabella today).

In light of all this pressure to buy buy buy to support a good cause, consider this: donate directly. Oh, and don't forget to fondle yourself in the shower.

I Yam what I Yam

2010-10-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Recently, my dear friend and fellow blogette the Meal Muse posted one of the best food blog I've read in a while. The photos were beautiful and the recipe was unique, but these two facts were oh-so-far from what made it fabulous. The trick? Failure.

You see, the Meal Muse did what I have done so many times before: set out to create something simple, lovely, and seasonal with a bit of creative panache and failed miserably. She elected to adapt a quick bread recipe that calls for a 16 oz can of sweet potatoes for a few yams from the farmers market she roasted herself.

Unfortunately the recipe turned out to be a bust. It stubbornly remained, "goopy" as it "mocked" her from the oven for over two hours.

To the Meal Muse I say this- thank you for sharing your failure. Anyone who hasn't spent hours concocting a masterpiece only to later find out it's a total dud has not taken enough risks in the kitchen. Bravo for taking risks and bravo for sharing your missteps.

To all you prissy bloggers out there who seem so perfect with your shiny photos of pristine cakes and tarts you seem to be able to bake every day while holding down a full time job, mothering a gorgeous child who never has peanut butter on their face, maintaining a healthy marriage, and somehow keeping svelte figure I say- I YAM WHAT I YAM.

Lily Stockman- Homesick Country Blues

2010-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Long long ago (which is blog land equates to a few months) I wrote about Joshua Tree based painter Lily Stockman. Turns out she and her husband have flown the California coup for a year stint in India to paint and be ex-pats. She's blogging her way through the day to day at bigBANGstudio and I am hooked.

Her latest post includes photos from back in the US of A that have her singing the homesick blues. Funny thing is, these photos make me homesick too and my feet are firmly planted in the city were I was born and raised.

The photos evoke nostalgia for a rural truck-driving life through purple mountains majesty that I've never known. A bona fide city girl with country taste, these photos make me yearn for a sense of America that seems to exist only in photographs. Sigh.

Kitchen Love

2010-10-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

I love the simplicity of this space. So New England Farmhouse without trying too hard. Note the punctuating red knobs on the oven. Sometimes, a little goes a long way.

PS. Love the rocking chair!